/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.
(1994-12-16)