On Thu, 27 Jul 2006, at around 14:19:11 local time, "Steinman, Bill"
<wsteinman@pogolaw.com> wrote:
>I simply would love a definition of "gubbins" before suggesting you
>remove any of them! :o)
Dear Bill,
According to one on-line source:
gubbins - WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003) :
gubbins
n : something whose name is either forgotten or not known [syn:
dohickey, dojigger, doodad, doohickey, gimmick,
hickey, gizmo, gismo, thingamabob,
thingumabob, thingmabob, thingamajig,
thingumajig, thingmajig, thingummy]
But this is absolute rubbish.
Gubbins has a very specific meaning, and has nothing to do with the
author's forgetfulness or ignorance. It means an amorphous and
confusing conglomeration of miscellaneous and (usually, but not
exclusively) non-homogenous doodads, yokes and gizmos. It is a
fantastically useful word, and is always plural (there is no such thing
as "a gubbin").
In this case, the gubbins include electrical wiring, ventilation
ducting, flasher units and goodness knows what else.
Does that help? :-)
ATB
--
Mike
Ellie - 1963 White Triumph Herald 1200 Convertible GA125624 CV
Connie - 1968 Conifer Triumph Herald 1200 Saloon GA237511 DL
Unnamed - 1977 Russet Triumph 2500S Automatic Estate MP6711 SCA
Carly - 1977 Inca Yellow Triumph Spitfire 1500 FH105671
Aneka - 1984 Cashmere Gold Triumph Acclaim CD SAXXDELX7BM232714
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