A recent reader-driven inquiry explored the terminology associated with the miscellaneous household items often found tucked away but rarely discarded, sparking a lively exchange of inventive names for these everyday objects. The discussion was prompted by the common experience of preserving small, seemingly indispensable items “just in case” they might be needed later.
Contributors from various communities offered creative suggestions to label these assorted belongings. Larry C. Kerpelman of Acton described his own storage solution, a container he calls his “justin case,” designated for items he is reluctant to discard. Jean Whooley of Dorchester referred to a familiar “just-in-case” drawer in her kitchen, containing a diverse collection of items such as screws, twist ties, chopsticks, and picture hangers.
In probing this phenomenon, a survey by a company named Junk King found that 95% of Americans admit to having at least one junk drawer in their home, with one in six owning three or more. The survey also revealed that 11% of respondents maintain these drawers in an organized state, whereas 25% describe their contents as chaotic.
As curiosity about terminology grew, readers proposed a variety of imaginative names. John Decker of Plymouth suggested “tchotchtkeepers,” while Kelly Ash of Melrose offered “bitritus,” combining bits and detritus. Ellen Julian from Cambridge coined “flotsam not jettisoned,” and Ann Souto of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, suggested “thinkimightneeds,” playing on “thingamajigs.”
Other contributions included Marc McGarry’s “thingamalimbobs,” Noreen Barnes’s “hedge hoard,” and Naomi Angoff Chedd’s playful “jumbalaya,” accompanied by a humorous caution against confusing these items with the well-known New Orleans dish. Scott Aubrey of Leominster proposed “untapped retential,” and Bob Bargar from Laguna Niguel, California, submitted the term “keepfake.”
Regional approaches also surfaced, with Jay Kaknes of Stowe, Vermont, promoting reuse and coining “hoard-article” or “hoardical,” while Susan LeVan of Nashua, New Hampshire, preferred the literary-sounding “Hoard-of-the-Things.” Whizz White of Swampscott developed the acronym “devotom,” standing for “DEbris Valuable Only To Me,” blending affection and humor.
Adding to the lexical creativity, the original contributor mentioned “INIETTA” (“It’s Not Interesting Enough To Talk About”), a term previously coined to describe tedious or unremarkable information, highlighting the ongoing role of language in categorizing everyday experiences.
Finally, reader Jacob O’Halloran of Natick introduced an emergent need for a term to describe the frustration of interacting with unhelpful automated phone systems, inviting suggestions to capture that particular feeling.
The engagement underscores a shared cultural understanding about the persistence and significance of these small household items, reflected in a variety of inventive labels that blend humor, practicality, and personal experience. Responses continue to be welcomed as the search for precise language to describe common aspects of daily life evolves.