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Frobbed vs Fobbed - What's the difference?

frobbed | fobbed |

As verbs the difference between frobbed and fobbed

is that frobbed is (frob) while fobbed is (fob).

frobbed

English

Verb

(head)
  • (frob)

    • frob

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (jargon, MIT) Any small device or object (usually hand-sized) which can be manipulated.
    • Hand me that frob there, will you?

    Verb

  • (jargon, MIT) To manipulate objects considered to be frobs.
    • Hey, frob the switch.
  • (jargon, MIT) To manipulate equipment without any knowledge.
    • Hey! Stop frobbing that oscilloscope! You'll break it.

    Related terms

    * frobnicate * frobnitz * tweak * twiddle

    References

    * frob'', in ''The New Hacker's Dictionary , 1996, by Eric S. Raymond. * *

    fobbed

    English

    Verb

    (head)
  • (fob)

    • fob

    English

    Etymology 1

    * High German

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A little pocket near the waistline of a pair of trousers or in a waistcoat or vest to hold a pocketwatch; a watch pocket.
    • 1711 Jonathan Swift , Windsor Prophecy :
  • :* With a saint at his chin and a seal at his fob .
  • A short chain or ribbon to connect such a pocket to the watch.
  • A small ornament attached to such a chain. (See Usage Notes below)
  • A hand-held remote control device used to lock/unlock motor cars etc.
    • Usage notes
    * The Jonathan Swift quote indicates that the word "fob" at that time period did not specifically apply to an object attached to the chain or watch. * A "fob" attached directly to the watch serves as an ornament and or as a grip for more easily pulling the watch from the watch pocket. * A fob attached to a drooping chain would be mainly an ornament.

    Etymology 2

    (etyl)

    Alternative forms

    * fub

    Verb

    (fobb)
  • (archaic) To cheat, to trick, to take in, to impose upon someone.
    • 1604 William Shakespeare , Othello, iv, 2:
  • :* I think it is scurvy, and begin to find myself fobbed in it.
  • (archaic) To beat; to maul.
    • Derived terms
    * to fob off

    References

    * 1897 Universal Dictionary of the English Language , Robert Hunter and Charles Morris, eds., v 2 p 2146.

    Anagrams

    * *