Meaning
Used to refer to something whose name one cannot recall: an unspecified device, gadget, part, or thing.
Etymology
Origin: Unknown
Unknown; attested since the 1880s. Compare earlier daud (“a piece of something”), later doohickey (“a thing (whose name one cannot recall)”), dialectal dad, dadge (“a large piece, chunk”).
Synonyms & Antonyms
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 37 recorded puzzles:
- 2026-10-07ABDFLOR
- 2026-08-15OACDHIR
- 2026-07-03ADILNOR
- 2026-06-30OADHMNW
- 2026-05-20ABODCKR
- 2026-04-24DANGBIO
- 2026-01-19DARWKLO
- 2025-11-28AYDRONI
- 2025-11-13OANMDIC
- 2025-09-14OAEPHTD
- 2025-08-11DAOYIHL
- 2025-07-19ABLDCIO
+25 earlier appearances in the archive.