[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.
[glossary]
[Reference(s) to this entry by made by: {frob}{frobnicate}{frotz}]