frobnitz
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.
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