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gadget

The origin and history of gadget.

Etymology

Origin unclear, first recorded in print in 1886; possibly linked to a French word for a small tool, or to the surname of a French industrialist connected with promotional trinkets for the Statue of Liberty project.

Origin: French · First attested 1886

Class of 1886

gadget first entered the language around 1886.

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Etymology: FreeDict original editorial.