Airstream Technical words

[Zeppelinium]

AEROWOOD has been complaining that I use too many technical words in my posts. I sympathize and empathize with him, so I propose we keep a running Wiki-Stream of descriptive words for the hard-to-describe parts of our favorite machines...

framus--important part whose function is not well understood
thingy--part with an unknown function, one that you would not be proud to have fabricated; alt: any complicated part referred to by most (but not all) females
doodad--usually left over after putting something back together, yet the something works just fine
widget--fits into things, sometimes used to hold things or space things
device--something that has an actual function, made up of several machined parts
#$@&&^ --a doodad that is either heavy and has recently landed under full gravity on some extremity or has sharp edges and has been grasped in an area where you have no visibility
jaggies--usually the edges of items in a low resolution digital image, but in this case, damaged edges on any aluminum part that will attract the attention of anyone viewing your restoration
dohickey--a device whose function is clearly obvious to the casual observer but to explain it would take several minutes

Alternative definitions welcome.

Zep

[BIGED52]

Great!!!!!

[funkill]

Phinigle plug --- the part that is the root cause of any problem that you cannot figure out. This part is impossible to locate or identify but sometimes will repair itself and intermittently work - making it all that more elusive. Usage: Crap, it must be the stupid phinigle plug; it's the only thing I haven't replaced.

Laura

[N2XBW]

Foo-foo valve: The main controlling device on any system involving the flow of a gas or liquid and usually found cracked or clogged.

Farquar Wrench: Any tool you don't happen to have immediately available, made exclusively to fit an odd shaped fastener you previously never even knew existed.

Dingle: The little device on the end of the whatsis that must've fallen off a while ago and now you're trying to find a duplicate replacement from a totally befuddled parts department clerk.

[Aerowood]

I ues alot of Gizmo's and whatca ma callit's too.

[N2XBW]

Kringinator: The thinger that makes the hoosiewhistle work.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, "Staunneraunche" This is a part usually associated with some form of pipes, plumbing, or hydraulics. It is almost always located in a place where you would never think of looking. After you find it's location, it will be vertually impossible to remove it. After removal, you will be told by the authorized dealer, that it can only be tested when installed. Nobody can explain what it does, but nothing will work without it. This unit is not rebuildable, and if you buy a new one, it's not returnable if it doesn't fix your problem because you installed it and now it is considered used. Note: on Front Bedroom Airstream trailers, because of the shower and toilet located on oposite sides, there are two of these units. GOOD LUCK.

[N2XBW]

Singulator: The small yet indispensible device you need for a repair today, that your dealer sold the very last one of in the whole global supply chain yesterday.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, "Sob-solete" this can be any number of items or parts that you need for your Airstream trailer. [or any other piece of machinery] Your first reaction, will be, "I can't believe it" and you might feel like sobbing too. This reaction is set off when your parts supplier tells you the good news. [actually bad news] "The part you need for your 2 year old car, truck, or trailer Etc. is no longer available." "Sob-solete"

[N2XBW]

The FLANGETANGENT is the expensive and hard-to-get-at part right next to the simple one you're actually working on that always gets broken during the "easy" repair.

"I fixed the valve, Honey, but now the FLANGETANGENT is split!"

[N2XBW]

Wirewarren: The rats' nest of unlabled taped and spliced wires usually found under the dash of a motorhome.

[Wabbiteer]

ape measure: multiple question intelligence test.
ape-track player: Actor in non-television reality game show (devolution island)
fool box: probability exercise, see 'scrumb-driver'.
popdam riveter: hopping tool that gouges work with jagged mandrel shaft.
scrumb-driver: tool variety likely scattered as if Hansel and Gretels bread crumbs.

[N2XBW]

Dont-dad: Statement by family member just before Father - often aided by some more or less inappropriate doo-dad - really screws up a small, simple progect .

[SilverHoot]

UNOBTAINIUM- This is the element that many vintage Airstream parts are made of.

[N2XBW]

COSTUMUCHIUM: A commercial grade of UNOBTANIUM which, though somewhat more common, is priced beond the means of most. This, of course, will be the one essential item needed to complete work on your Airstream.

[Cantrell]

OVERWHELMINITUS: condition caused by reading forum threads on over hitching, bad axles, tire inflation, and cracked and separated frames so much that you become so paralyzed with fear that your trailer will spontaneously explode under the stresses you have placed on it that you can't decide whether to tow your Bambi with a Freightliner and 5000# bars or to drag your 34' with a Ford Pinto using nothing more than a $5 hitch from Walmart.

[ROBERT CROSS]

2airs last post was STUPID... Smart Talented Unique Person in Demand

[Zeppelinium]

Best inaugural address:

New Deal. New Day. New World.

from January 12, 2009 New Yorker

Zep

[N2XBW]

Detoneator: The part that makes a cheerful "ping" note when it snaps in your wrench.

[overlander63]

Jesus Clip: That spring-loaded device that goes flinging into oblivion just when you're about to use it, causing you to yell "Jesus!"