frobnitz

frobnitz
 /frob'nits/, pl., frobnitzem, /frob'nit.zm/, 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. For related amusement, see the Encyclopedia Frobozzica.

   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.
    

frobnitz

   /frob'nits/, plural "frobnitzem" /frob'nit-zm/ or "frobni"
   /frob'ni:/ (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,q
   "Under the TMRC (railway) 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.

   [{Jargon File}]

   (1994-12-16)