Rube Goldberg

Noun

Meaning

United States cartoonist who drew intricate diagrams of very complicated and impractical contraptions that accomplished little or nothing (1883-1970)

Source: WordNet

Synonyms

Goldberg contraption Heath Robinson Reuben Lucius Goldberg Rube Goldbergian Heath Robinsonesque complex contrivance convoluted contrivance elaborate contraption elaborate device fanciful apparatus fanciful contrivance ingenious mechanism ornate apparatus ornate contraption
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Examples

A Rube Goldberg machine is, in its essence, a trial-and-error thing. Adam Sadowsky

And it turns out that what Guy Ritchie can do is craft lovable antiheroes by the dozen and pit them against each other in an eclectic Rube Goldberg machine of coincidence and irony. Source: Internet

Being a parent and trying to keep up with the newest framework flavor of the week ( “Rube Goldberg 2.3 butt monkey java….” Source: Internet

It’s a simple Rube Goldberg machine, with an imbalanced super soaker turning on the pool drain, and an errant golf ball knocking Hunt’s lucky coin into the water, but it’s definitely effective. Source: Internet

Elsewhere, we've seen gender updates from Tinder and a lovely Rube Goldberg recruitment video from AT&T. Source: Internet

In 2005, the American alternative rock/indie band The Bravery released a video for their debut single, "An Honest Mistake," which features the band performing the song in the middle of a Rube Goldberg machine. Source: Internet

Close letter words and terms

rubby-dubby rubdown rube Rube Goldberg machine Rube Goldbergian rubeanic