frobnitz

2 definitions found

frobnitz - Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (26 May 2007) :

  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)
  

frobnitz - Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003) :

  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.