Clyde, RonN,
At 18:15 07/22/2000 -0500, you wrote:
>>You are correct; thingee is not in my dictionary. Terms listed are
>>thingamajig, or thingamabob (which is defined as a thingamajig!), for
>those who want to be more grammatically correct.
>...in BIG BOOK, but my spell checker likes it. Go figure. How heavy is your
>dictionary? <G>
My big dictionery, which weighs 11#(5 kg), Webster's New 20th Century
(1956). Has the following:
*thingumajig, n. a thingumbob [Colloq]
*thingumbob {please note - no a}, n. [extension of older thingum, from
thing] any device; a contrivance; a gadget: humorous subustitue for a name
not known or temporarily forgotten [Colloq.]
No listing for "thingee"
To all the etymologists out there, might I suggest that one meaning for
thingee could be derived from; *thing meaning #10 - an act; a deed; a
transaction; a matter; an event; an action; that which is done, has been
done, or is to be done.
Just as in grant > grantee; abduct > abductee
**thingee - n, receptor of a thing; a victim; a target.
As in - you're _all_ thingees after receiving this post... ;-}
Many other further meanings possible.
Conrad Hoffsommer - Decorah, Ia.
He who laughs last found another meaning.
........and then defined it.
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