# Did my friend really invent the word "dingus"? Where did it come from?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-friend-really-invent-the-word-dingus-where-did-it-come-from/117250>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 3, 2002, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-friend-really-invent-the-word-dingus-where-did-it-come-from/117250 "2002-07-03T20:46:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![galt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/35a633/32.png) [@galt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galt)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2002, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-friend-really-invent-the-word-dingus-where-did-it-come-from/117250/21 "2002-07-12T08:24:50Z")

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The invention in The Hudsucker Proxy was also referred to as a dingus.

…you know…for kids.

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**Author:** ![YEP](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/43a26b/32.png) [@YEP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YEP)\
**Post date:** [July 15, 2002, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-friend-really-invent-the-word-dingus-where-did-it-come-from/117250/22 "2002-07-15T15:40:56Z")

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a “flying dingus contraption” was also thought up by the great Dr Seuss.

the 28 car sucks

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**Author:** ![Hyperelastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Hyperelastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hyperelastic)\
**Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-friend-really-invent-the-word-dingus-where-did-it-come-from/117250/23 "2004-11-02T00:19:34Z")

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> [@doktersteve](#):
>
> Dingus is somethign that has also been on the Simpsons, which is perhaps where your friend heard it? Too many ppl watch that show, myself included.
> 
> From episode AABF06, “Viva Ned Flanders”
> 
> Also, episode AABF21, “dingus” was censored during its first network airing for fear that it would be too offensive, but the closed captioning didnt miss it:
> 
> I know that nelson also said it, but i cant find a quote of episode number.

Two years later…  
It’s from 4F01, “Lisa’s Date with Density” (the one where she develops a crush on Nelson). Nelson and Lisa are enjoying some romantic aloneness when Nelson’s buddies arrive and start mocking him. Then Nelson walks over to Jimbo and says, “Thanks for embarrassing me, dingus!”

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**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\
**Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-friend-really-invent-the-word-dingus-where-did-it-come-from/117250/24 "2004-11-02T01:05:23Z")

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For future reference, here’s MY rule, and I think what is becoming the rule on the SDMB.

If you are replying to an OLD thread in either GQ, COCC, or COSR, we will allow a post _as long as it relates pretty specifically to the OP._

For instance, if **Hyperelastic** had come up with new info about antedating the 1876 cites given, I’d allow that. If he/she had come up with info that would trace the roots of the word back to Latin, then I’d allow that.

But we’re prolly gonna frown on commenting on side issues. And citing which episode of Simpson’s it appeared in is a rather minor thing here.

So, I’m closing this one.

If anyone comes up later with info that would truly help expand the OP, then it’s OK. Email me or another GQ MOd, and we’ll reopend it.

**samclem** GQ moderator

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