20 Uncommon Ways to Express ‘Things Words’ in English: Your Guide to Creative Language Usage

June 19, 2023

By Derek Cupp

Ever found yourself scratching your head, searching for the perfect word to express a complex idea or feeling? Sometimes, “thing” just doesn’t cut it. Read on as I unveil 20 uncommon ways to express ‘things words’ in English. You’ll be amazed at how much color and depth these unique expressions can add to your conversations.

Language is a fascinating playground. It’s full of quirky treasures that often go undiscovered in our daily discourse. Diving into this list will not only enhance your vocabulary but also enrich your understanding of English language nuances.

Let me guide you through these intriguing linguistic gems. From the simple to the profoundly obscure, we’re about to embark on an exciting journey into the world of words! Buckle up; it’s going to be an enlightening ride!

Understanding ‘Things Words’ and Their Uncommon Expressions

Ever wondered about the fascinating world of ‘things words’? Let’s take a deep dive into this thrilling aspect of English language usage. I’m here to guide you through these uncommon expressions, their meanings, and how they can enrich your vocabulary.

First off, what are ‘things words’? Well, they’re exactly what they sound like – words we use to describe objects or ‘things’. But it’s not always as straightforward as you might think. Some expressions may seem unusual or out-of-place if you’re not familiar with them.

For instance, consider the word ‘widgets’. In everyday parlance, it might refer to a small gadget or mechanical device. But in business lingo, it’s often used to denote any hypothetical manufactured good.

Here’s a quick glance at some examples:

Common Use	Uncommon Expression
Car	Jalopy
Phone	Blower
Money	Dough
Shoes	Kickers

Another intriguing point is how these expressions evolve over time. For example, the term ‘kickers’ for shoes was popularized in the hip-hop culture of the 1980s and 90s. This shows how societal changes can influence language trends.

Now let’s look at another interesting category: placeholder names for things. Ever heard someone say “whatchamacallit” when they can’t remember an object’s name? That’s also a form of ‘things word’. Similarly technical fields often use terms like “thingamabob” or “gadget” when referring to parts whose exact names aren’t necessary for understanding context.

To summarize:

Widgets are often referred to in business contexts.
Cultural influences play a big role in shaping these expressions.
Placeholder names exist for instances where specific details are unnecessary.

As we explore more such terminology together, I’m certain you’ll find this topic as captivating as I do!

Exploring the Top Ten Unusual Ways to Say ‘Things Words’

Let’s dive right in. One unique way of expressing ‘things words’ is doodads. It’s a quirky term used mainly in informal conversations. Another oddball is doohickey, often employed when you’ve forgotten the name of an object.

Next up, we have gewgaw. It’s usually reserved for describing cheap and showy trinkets or jewelry. Then there’s knick-knack, a word that conjures images of small decorative ornaments around your home.

Ever heard of thingamabob? It’s another fun one, used as a placeholder for just about anything whose name escapes you at the moment. Similar in use is whatchamacallit, which I’m sure has saved many people mid-conversation!

We can’t forget about gubbins. Though it might sound like something from a fantasy novel, it’s actually British slang for odds and ends or bits and pieces. And speaking of bits and pieces, there’s also our next entry: odds and ends itself!

In ninth place, we find mumbo jumbo, which refers not to physical objects but rather to complicated language that’s hard to understand. Lastly, rounding off our top ten list is none other than the word stuff. Simple yet versatile, it can refer to virtually any collection of items.

Here are these terms in context:

Original Term	Uncommon Equivalent	Example
Things	Doodads	“Could you hand me those doodads on the table?”
Items	Doohickey	“Pass me that doohickey over there.”
Trinkets	Gewgaw	“She loves collecting colorful gewgaws.”
Decorations	Knick-knack	“These knick-knacks remind me of my grandmother.”
Object	Thingamabob	“I can’t remember where I put that thingamabob.”
Something	Whatchamacallit	_ “Could you help me find my whatchamacallit?” _
Bits	_ Gubbins	_ “There were all sorts of gubbins in his toolbox.” _
Miscellaneous	_ Odds and Ends	_ “I found some interesting odds and ends at the flea market.” _
Jargon	_ Mumbo Jumbo	_ “His explanation was pure mumbo jumbo.” _
Stuff	_ Stuff	_ “Just put your stuff over there.” _

So next time you’re searching for an uncommon way to express ‘things words’, why not give these alternatives a try? They’ll surely add some color to your conversations!

Wrapping Up: The Final Ten Unique Expressions for ‘Things Words’

I’ve reached the end of my list, and I’m excited to share with you these final ten unique expressions for ‘things words’. They’re sure to add some flair to your English vocabulary.

Let’s dive right in:

“Doodads”: It’s a term used when we can’t remember the name of an object or when its name is unknown.
“Whatchamacallit”: This word is similar to doodads but often used when you momentarily forget what something is called.
“Thingamabob”: Just like the previous two, it serves as a placeholder for an actual object or thing.
“Gubbins”: This British slang refers to small parts or pieces that make up machinery or equipment.

These expressions are quite casual and playful. Let’s look at how they could be used in sentences:

Expression	Sentence
“Doodads”	Can you hand me those doodads over there?
“Whatchamacallit”	Where did I put that whatchamacallit?
“Thingamabob”	Could you pass me that thingamabob next to the stapler?
“Gubbins”	He took apart his computer and there were gubbins everywhere.

Now let’s move on to some more formal terms:

“Paraphernalia”: Often associated with extra items required for a particular activity.
“Accoutrements” : Refers specifically to additional pieces of equipment needed, especially in relation to fashion or style.
“Appurtenances” : Items that support or relate to something else.

And here they are in context:

Expression	Sentence
“Paraphernalia”	His desk was covered in writing paraphernalia – pens, paper, notebooks.
“Accoutrements”	She looked stunning in her dress and all her fashionable accoutrements.
“Appurtenances”	The house comes with all appurtenances including furniture and appliances.