Singing Frog

A term in the IT and equipment maintenance industries used to describe a bug or problem reported by a user which, upon inspection, has no detectable cause, is unable to be reproduced, and simply "goes away" without any specific change in the equipment's settings or work done by the person servicing the problem.

This is not a derogatory term and while these problems are annoying and time-consuming the lack of explanation does not automatically place blame on the user.

The term is based on the classic Warner Brothers short, "One Froggy Evening", in which a singing and dancing frog will only perform for the construction worker who found it.

User: "My computer keeps freezing whenever I try to open <program>, specifically, when <detailed description>"
IT Helpdesk: "OK, I'll come down and have a look."

Much Later

IT Boss: "Did you fix User's problem?"
IT Helpdesk: "I couldn't find any problem, no matter how hard I tried. Guess it was a singing frog."

Singing Frog by dwinter9 July 23, 2012

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A Singing Frog

A Singing Frog is the occurrence in which your attempt to show someone an ongoing symptom/ issue is squandered due to it's coincidental absence.

Most often occurs with:
Computers/ Technological Products, Cars, Mysterious Sounds etc.

Term is derived from the famous Looney Tunes short, "One Froggy Evening," in which a man finds a frog who routinely performs the song "The Michigan Rag" in front of him, yet remains silent and ordinary whenever he attempts to show him to anyone, driving him mad and resulting in his institutionalization.

Example 1:

Man walks into a car dealership after dropping his car off earlier that morning.

Man: So, did you figure out what the noise was?

Mechanic: Sir, there was no sound whatsoever.

Man: What?! What are you talking about, it keeps making this "SHHHISSHHHHARRRRERRRR" sound whenever it drives!

Mechanic: Yes... Of course it does, Sir..

Man: Ugh. I guess it's A Singing Frog.

Mechanic: (Raises eyebrows) What?

Man: Nevermind...

Example 2:

Dude 1: Dude. What is up with your computer screen? It's really fucked up. You should take it in.

Dude 2: Yeah but it only happens randomly. It'll probably not even act up when I take it in.

Dude 1: Ahh. It's A Singing Frog.

Dude 2: What? Shut up.

Dude 1: K...

A Singing Frog by Stroff III and Dave sort of.. August 6, 2010

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funiosity

The art of being peculiar, but in an amusing fashion.

"Wow, look at that dog running on three legs"
- "Yeah, that sure is a funiosity"

funiosity by Supersonic Stevie November 23, 2007

Word of the Day on July 25, 2026

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Toe Rag

A toe rag was originally a foot wrapping used, since mediaeval times up until the mid-nineteenth century, to protect the foot from chafing by boots or shoes. As these were, quite literally, rags they weren’t usually washed, and so with use they became very smelly until they were thrown away. Because of the similarity in smell, toe rag also became the name applied to dried, salted cod or other things with a strong, unpleasant, fishy smell. It didn’t take that long before the name was applied to someone who was an obnoxious, unpleasant OIC.

1 “Socks! Those aren’t socks you smelly git, they’re toe rags!”
2 “What have you been cooking? Smells like toe rag!”
3 “I can smell ‘er fanny from ‘ere, proper toe rag.”
4 That Heale Malcolm is a right toe rag.

Toe Rag by AKACroatalin November 29, 2016

Word of the Day on July 24, 2026

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Eternity leave

When some resigns or retires from a job, they are on "eternity leave". This can also refer to someone who has passed away, especially someone who worked somewhere for a long time, retired/resigned, then passed away later.

Oh I'm sorry, you didn't know that Kelly is on eternity leave? She resigned and moved to Hawaii!

With regrets I would like to inform you that my boss is officially on eternity leave. I will never see or hear them again. Ever.

Eternity leave by LingDanc803 February 7, 2023

Word of the Day on July 23, 2026

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jody

The hypothetical man (often a sinister character who decided not to go to boot camp) that is doing your girlfriend/wife while you are on deployment overseas.

Ain't no use in goin home,
Jody's got your girl and gone.
Ain't no use in goin back,
Jody's got your Cadillac,
Ain't no use in feeling blue,
Jody's took your checkbook too.

jody by Sgt Apan March 31, 2006

Word of the Day on July 22, 2026

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girl grip

The ability girls and women have developed to hold several items at once in one hand. The skill has been developed due to the lack of pockets in women's clothing.

I thought she'd need multiple trips to carry her phone, keys, wallet, and Starbucks to her car since she needed the other hand to open the door, but she used her impressive girl grip to carry everything in one hand.

girl grip by SillyMilly33 July 31, 2023

Word of the Day on July 21, 2026

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