fob

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a small ornament or device attached to a key ring or watch chain

   He pressed the fob to unlock the car from across the lot.

Simplified etymology

The verb fob meant “cheat” or “deceive” in medieval English. Its origin is uncertain: it may be related to German foppen, “deceive, cheat, banter,” or to fop, which originally meant “a fool.” From the mid-17th century, the noun fob denoted a small waistband pocket for a watch or valuables, and later a chain attached to a watch. The noun’s origin is also uncertain, though it is probably related to dialectal German Fuppe, “pocket.”

Of uncertain origin, attested from the 17th century; possibly related to German dialect Fuppe ('pocket') or Low German fobke ('small pocket').

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External links

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