frobnitz /frob'nits/, pl. `frobnitzem' /frob'nit-zm/ or
`frobni' /frob'ni:/ n.
[TMRC] An unspecified physical object, a widget. Also refers
to electronic black boxes. This rare form is usually abbreviated
to `frotz', or more commonly to frob.
Also used are `frobnule' (/frob'n[y]ool/) and `frobule'
(/frob'yool/). Starting perhaps in 1979, `frobozz' /fr*-boz'/
(plural: `frobbotzim' /fr*-bot'zm/) has also become very popular,
largely through its exposure as a name via Zork. These variants can also be applied to
nonphysical objects, such as data structures.
Pete Samson, compiler of the original TMRC lexicon, adds, "Under the TMRC [railroad]
layout were many storage boxes, managed (in 1958) by David R.
Sawyer. Several had fanciful designations written on them, such
as `Frobnitz Coil Oil'. Perhaps DRS intended Frobnitz to be a
proper name, but the name was quickly taken for the thing". This
was almost certainly the origin of the term.
Node:frog, Next:frogging, Previous:frobnitz, Up:=
F =
frog alt. `phrog'
1. interj. Term of disgust (we seem to have a lot of them). 2.
Used as a name for just about anything. See foo. 3. n. Of things, a crock. 4. n. Of people,
somewhere in between a turkey and a toad. 5. `froggy': adj.
Similar to bagbiting, but milder.
"This froggy program is taking forever to run!"