(chiefly, UK, Irish) A thing (used in a vague way to refer to something whose name one cannot recall, or that one is embarrassed to say).
(chiefly, UK, Irish) A thing (used in a vague way to refer to something whose name one cannot recall, or that one is embarrassed to say).
Pass me one of those whatsits, will you?
Whatsit means: A thing (used in a vague way to refer to something whose name one cannot recall, or that one is embarrassed to say).. It is mainly Irish English and may not be understood outside that context. It has drug-related associations; worth a calm conversation about which side of the topic your teen is on. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
whatsit means: A thing (used in a vague way to refer to something whose name one cannot recall, or that one is embarrassed to say).. Register: very informal, often derogatory or vulgar. Avoid in formal, business, academic, or polite writing. Even in casual speech the word can offend and is best left out of a learner's active vocabulary. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.
Whatsit means: A thing (used in a vague way to refer to something whose name one cannot recall, or that one is embarrassed to say).. It is mainly Irish English and may not be understood outside that context. It has drug-related associations; worth a calm conversation about which side of the topic your teen is on. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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(countable, slang, British) A whatsit; a thing which the speaker is unable or unwilling to specify more precisely.
(slang, originally, US) A thing (used in a vague way to refer to something whose name one does not know or cannot recall).
(informal, chiefly, _, Scotland) A thingy; a non-specific object or gadget.
(Ireland, or, archaic) Something trivial, of no importance.
“I know GW's going to survive just absolutely fine without me, but see if I'm in a rush now to paint some whizzbang new plastic whatsit that'll never survive in a carry case. Just got some metal Pike and Shotte figures, so that'd mark a change of pace!”
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(AU, NZ, countable, slang) An item whose name has been forgotten; a thingumajig.