On the fritz

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Meaning

Broken, malfunctioning, or in an unsatisfactory state. Current informal idiom Regional use: United States, later widespread.

Origin

An Americanism first securely found in New York prison writing in 1900. The precise origin of fritz is unknown. Connections to the German name Fritz, the Katzenjammer Kids, a failing machine's sound, or dialect friz meaning froze all lack a convincing documentary chain. On the blink appears slightly earlier, in 1898, as a companion American expression, but the record cannot show that one produced the other.

Variants

  • go on the fritz
  • be on the fritz
  • on the blink

Usage Examples

  • The lift is on the fritz again, so deliveries must use the stairs.
  • My sense of direction goes on the fritz as soon as the fog rolls in.

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