technical gremlin

USAGE SUMMARY

"technical gremlin" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a problem with a piece of technology that you can't easily identify or fix. For example, "My laptop has been acting strangely lately and I think there may be a technical gremlin causing it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

A technical gremlin intervened.

The Economist

8.50am: Sorry for the outage there - just crushing a small technical gremlin.

The Guardian - Business

Mindful of the technical gremlin that struck down Rosberg, a recurring theme at Mercedes starting with the DNF inflicted upon Hamilton at the season's first race in Australia, the engineers turned down the wick on his car.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

10.30am: It's a late start today - fashionably late, of course - due to technical gremlins.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

54 min: Some technical gremlins means this is the second time I'm writing this.

The Guardian - Sport

All that can stop him now are technical gremlins and the weather.

The Guardian

9.21am: More from the Iraq inquiry blogger: Inquiry start delayed until 09 30 due to technical gremlins.

The Guardian

I saw them in Leeds 10 days ago and, despite a few technical gremlins, they were magnificent.

The Guardian - Music

There are some missteps, with gaps between songs as they try to deal with technical gremlins, before they hit their stride.

The Guardian - Music

Apologies for today's technical gremlins - the comments thread should now be working, and I'm still reading suggestions and notes from Twitter and on email.

The Guardian

We might not bother with Ben Howard, and because of some technical gremlins (ACTUALLY TRUE) it's already almost a bit late for Rokia.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "technical gremlin" when you want to describe a frustrating technical problem that is difficult to diagnose or fix. It adds a touch of humor to the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "technical gremlin" in formal or highly professional contexts where a more precise and direct description of the problem is expected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "technical gremlin" functions as a compound noun, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes a problematic technical issue of elusive or unknown origin, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "technical gremlin" refers to a minor, elusive, and frustrating technical problem. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and notes that it's most frequently used in news and media contexts, though its usage remains relatively rare with only 3 exact examples. While suitable for general discussions, it's best to avoid this phrase in formal contexts where more precise language is preferred. Alternative phrases such as ""technical glitch"" or ""minor technical fault"" might be more appropriate in formal settings. It can be an alternative to inject humor into discussions about technology.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

technical glitch

A common synonym, focusing on the sudden and temporary nature of the problem.

minor technical fault

Replaces "gremlin" with a more straightforward term for a malfunction.

computer malfunction

A general term for when a computer is not working properly.

system error

Implies a problem within a larger computer system.

unexpected technical problem

Highlights the unforeseen nature of the issue.

software bug

More specific, referring to an error in software code.

teething problems

Suggests issues that are common in the early stages of using new technology.

hardware issue

Indicates a problem with the physical components of a device.

temporary setback

Focuses on the hindrance caused by the technical issue, rather than the issue itself.

unexplained anomaly

More formal and scientific, implying an observation that deviates from what is expected, with unclear reasons.

FAQs

How can I describe a minor technical issue?

You can use phrases such as "technical glitch", "minor technical fault", or "software bug" depending on the specific context.

Is "technical gremlin" appropriate for formal writing?

While "technical gremlin" is widely understood, it's generally more suitable for informal or semi-formal contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise terms like "system error" or "hardware issue".

What does the term "technical gremlin" imply?

The term "technical gremlin" implies a mischievous and elusive problem that is difficult to identify and resolve. It suggests a quirky, hard-to-pin-down issue, rather than a severe or easily diagnosed malfunction.

When is it best to use the phrase "technical gremlin"?

It's best to use "technical gremlin" when you're talking about a minor, often intermittent, technical issue that is causing frustration but isn't critically damaging or preventing overall functionality. It's suitable in conversations with colleagues or in situations where a lighthearted tone is acceptable.