Contraptions
A curated vocabulary of mechanical words, curious objects, and interesting terms.
- Pinion — a small gear that meshes with a larger gear or rack. Wikipedia
- Claxon — an electrically operated horn
- Quokka — a small marsupial native to Western Australia
- Epigraph — a short quotation at the beginning of a book or chapter
- Pastiche — an artistic work in a style that imitates that of another work, artist, or period
- Manicule — a typographical symbol of a pointing hand, used to direct the reader's attention. Wikipedia 👉🏻
- Jig — a device that holds a piece of work and guides the tool operating on it. Wikipedia
- Pablum — bland or insipid intellectual fare, entertainment, etc.
- Cairn — a mound of rough stones built as a memorial or landmark. Three-Country Cairn
- Andon — a manufacturing term for a system to notify management, maintenance, and other workers of a quality or process problem. Wikipedia
- Bunkobon — a small, pocket-sized Japanese book format
- Binnacle — a stand or housing for a ship's compass. Wikipedia
- Imprimatur — an official license to print or publish
- Artifact
- Pamphlet
- Gear
- Piggy bank
- Nest egg
- Carrier Pigeon
- Workshop
- Toolbelt
- Almanac
- Orlop
- Tidbit
- Brigade
- Gasket
- Doohickey
- Lathe
- Piston
- Foundry
- Bauble
- Dynamo
- Camshaft
- Turbine
- Bellow
- Pulley
- Crankshaft
- Manometer
- Planer
- Winch
- Treadle
- Caliper
- Codex
- Catalog
- Accoutrement
- Snollygoster
- Excoriation
- Bespoke
- Paperclip
- Talisman
- Dogear
- Quay
- Pilcrow
- Denouement
- Forsooth
- Moquette
- Mountebank
- Bivouac
- Transom
- Pannier
- Maquette
- Zhuzh
- Scribbler
- Manufactory
- Apron
- Carnet
- Pimlico
- Expedition
- Tipples
- Blip