Taxonomy of Things, a photo by lunchbreath on Flickr.
This is extremely helpful, but the taxonomy is not complete. I believe it should also include the following, which can be slotted in existing branches:
- thingamabob
- thingamajig
- doohickey
- junk
- junk ‘n stuff
- scraps
- detritus
And of course, another whole branch:
- Thing (Adams Family)
- The Thing (Marvel)
- The Thing (SF blob)
- Thing 1
- Thing 2

I’m sure I’m missing more… Let me know on Twitter or FB!

Have a free ebook!
If you’d like to check out one of my previous novels, I’m happy to just give you my second book, Marvellous Hairy
Just join my newsletter to get started!


It is indeed a useful taxonomy! It is, however, also lacking in whosiwhatsits, whoodger-doodgers, doohickymajigs, and whatchamacallits. Not to mention gizmos, doodads or dealybobs. (And no, I wasn’t able to think of these things all in the moment, but I was able to reference my previous research into things.)
I do love your other group of Things, too.