View synonyms for gremlin

gremlin

[ grem-lin ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a mischievous invisible being, said by airplane pilots in World War II to cause engine trouble and mechanical difficulties.
any cause of trouble, difficulties, etc., especially in a mechanical, electrical, computer, or other system:
A loose wire was the gremlin that blew out the lights.

gremlin

/ ˈɡrɛmlɪn /

noun

an imaginary imp jokingly said to be responsible for malfunctions in machinery
any mischievous troublemaker

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Word History and Origins

Origin of gremlin¹

First recorded in 1925–30; of obscure origin; in its earliest attested use, an RAF term for a low-ranking officer or enlisted man assigned the most onerous duties; later development perhaps affected by phonetic resemblance to goblin