noun General Slang

Gizmo

/ˈɡɪzmoʊ/ · noun · informal

GI slang for any gadget whose name you don't know — the thingamajig of the WWII era.

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Definitions

1

Any mechanical device, gadget, or part whose proper name the speaker doesn't know or can't recall.

“Hand me that gizmo on the workbench.”
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2

A placeholder term for an unspecified thingamajig.

“There's a loose gizmo rattling around inside the radio.”
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3

A clever or novel little device.

“Some bright spark rigged a gizmo to start the engine in the cold.”
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Gizmo In A Sentence

The mechanic swapped out a tiny gizmo and the truck roared to life.
What's this gizmo do — and why are there two of them?
He's always tinkering with some gizmo in the garage.

Origin & Usage

American military slang that emerged in the early 1940s, used by sailors and soldiers for any gadget or whatsit they couldn't name. It spread into general use after WWII.

Variants gismogizmos
Tags #1940s#wartime#swing#vintage#military#gadgets

People Also Ask

What does gizmo mean?

Any gadget or device whose name you don't know — a thingamajig.

Where did gizmo come from?

It surfaced as U.S. military slang in the early 1940s, used by servicemen for unnamed gadgets, then spread to civilians.

Is gizmo still used?

Yes — it's fully mainstream now for any small gadget or device.

Is gizmo the same as gadget?

Nearly — both mean a small device, though 'gizmo' leans more toward something whose name you can't recall.

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