potzrebie

Mad magazine equivalent of the computer programmer's foo, that is, a word which can be used to stand in for any other (as in, for example, fictitious brand names, etc.)

The label said to induce vomiting, so I applied the Potzrebie maneuver.

I'm sorry, Ms. Jones, we're going to have to charge you $500 dollars for this repair... your, uh, Potzrebie device was broken. Yeah.

by Secret Agent Man September 21, 2003

potrzebie

There are five separate pronunciations for "potrzebie," all of which are wrong.

by Anonymous May 1, 2003

potrzebie

The name of a spoof system of weights and measures once described in Mad magazine. Also the name of one of the units. The article was written by Donald Knuth. Yes, this is apparently the same Donald Knuth who went on to develop the TEX typesetting system and write the multivolume opus "The Art of Computer Programming".

1000 potrzebies = 1 kilopotrzebie

by Lawrence D'Oliveiro November 12, 2003

potrzebie

in need

by jack forrester October 24, 2003

potrzebie

(Polish), v. - "I want" or "I need", depending on context. Used as an all-purpose nonsense word by U.S. humor publication, Mad Magazine. The pronunciation indicated for this definition is the correct one.

There is no real English example of the word "potrzebie", as those who made it famous in America (writers of Mad Magazine) used it pretty much without rhyme or reason.

by Panther Wyvern November 12, 2003

potrzebie

An entity permeated by the ethereal exudations of Moxie.

Whon thotte Aprylle swythyn Potrzebie,
The burgydde Pryllye gyves one hebijebie.

by Reuven Taranto August 9, 2003

portzebie

First used in MAD magazine, portzebie is a word of many meanings. It is basicly a nonsense word often used to add comedy to a situation.

When you have to use a word, you might as well use portzebie.

Used by Alfred E. Neuman

What brand is your clock?
I dunno, Portzebie maybe

by macavity81 August 23, 2009