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Whatshisname / Whatshername

Phrase of the day

Discover a new phrase each day to use in your English! These are special phrases and sayings that English speakers use all the time, but you don't often see these phrases in English course books or other study material. Visit daily to learn some popular English phrases on a regular basis.

4 July 2026

Whatshisname / Whatshername

We use this expression when we’re trying to remember someone’s name. We use one of these words instead of the person's name that we can't remember.

Written: No

Spoken: Yes

Formal: No

Informal: Yes

Example 1

Whose is that car?

I think it belongs to, um, whatshername, the woman on the first floor.

Oh, you mean Mrs Perkins.

Example 2

Who was that amazing guitarist who died in the 70s, you know, Jimi whatshisname?

Jimi Hendrix?

That’s the one. Wasn’t he left-handed?

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May2026
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