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gremlin

/ˈɡrɛmlɪn/noun

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A gremlin is a playful yet pesky imaginary creature from folklore, often blamed for causing unexplained mechanical or technical malfunctions, like those in aircraft or gadgets. In contemporary usage, it serves as a lighthearted metaphor for elusive bugs in software and electronics, helping people cope with frustration by humanizing the chaos of modern technology.

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Did you know?

During World War II, gremlins were so embedded in RAF culture that they inspired over 100 cartoons and stories in publications like Punch magazine, and even led to a 1943 Disney training film to educate pilots, turning a superstition into a morale-boosting phenomenon that influenced Hollywood decades later.

Verified Sources

Oxford English DictionaryMerriam-Webster DictionaryEtymology OnlineThe Oxford Companion to World War II

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