MrCanary Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 Well, I know what a doofer is now...But is it a doofer or a doofah? I've seen both spellings used...And how did it get that wonderful name? Is it a name only used by the Brits? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pickles Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 Probably should be "doofah" but it is just a made-up word expressing a similar meaning to "thingumajig" "wotsit" etc etc. Its etymology is dubious.RegardsPickles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoddy Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 What a surprise, it's in the OED. It gives doofer, doofar, dovah and doover. It says that it probably comes from 'do for' and started in Australia.Hoddy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrCanary Posted September 22, 2009 Author Share Posted September 22, 2009 So, having been completely taken by the word, I think I will adopt the 'doofer' spelling as I am sure it must come from, "That'll do 'fer' me!"And by that token, it is quite obvious only the Brits call them by that name...Love it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 Nah, it's a woofer doofer [:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pickles Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 [quote user="Hoddy"]What a surprise, it's in the OED. It gives doofer, doofar, dovah and doover. It says that it probably comes from 'do for' and started in Australia.Hoddy[/quote]Yes: I also came across a usage as an abbreviation of "do for later." Australia sounds about right as a source, doesn't it?RegardsPickles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunday Driver Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 [quote user="Mel"]And by that token, it is quite obvious only the Brits call them by that name... Love it![/quote]I understand that some of the French péage staff now refer to them as doofers.......[;-)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrCanary Posted September 23, 2009 Author Share Posted September 23, 2009 SD - are you sure they aren't actually referring to Brit drivers who pass through as 'duffers'? (only kidding...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisb Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 It's always referred to as "the thing" in our household.Unfortunately it's one of around a dozen different objects that have the same name which is where the system breaks down really...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tegwini Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 We call the TV remote control the 'device'. And spend time daily looking for it. It's even been through the wash and survived. Other 'things' have names- some 'christened' by others - 'Henry', 'George' and 'Jack'. Cars tend to be called 'the blue one...'Much prefer to simplify this stuff, & shorten names too.Tegwini Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan Streason Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 [quote user="tegwini"]We call the TV remote control the 'device'. [/quote]Our tv remote has always been "the donker" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fi Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 [quote user="Stan Streason"][quote user="tegwini"]We call the TV remote control the 'device'. [/quote]Our tv remote has always been "the donker"[/quote]It's the "fat controller" here. Thomas has a lot to answer for! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gardengirl Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 The TV changer is 'that thing', the doofer for autoroutes is 'the doofer', and our GPS is 'Dora'; she's ever so patient and polite, and I love the way she sounds so proud as we approach our destination!Jo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerdesal Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 We must be terribly boring,......the remote is 'the box', the tv is 'the box' (as in whats on the box tonight) and the GPS is 'the box' (as in what does the box say?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clair Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 We have several thingies and whatsits... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judith Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 Doofer-jigDon't ask me why though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keni Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 So when we are driving, I get told to either turn thingy or whatsit - usually for left & right, lucky after 20 years of marriage I have sussed that one out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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