Word of the Day

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

THURSDAY, JANUARY 23

MacGuffin

[mə-GUFF-in]Part of speech: noun

Origin: british english, 1930s

• An object or event that serves as a plot device in fiction, but is ultimately irrelevant
• A storytelling technique that serves to further the plot

Examples of MacGuffin in a sentence

• In 'Titanic,' the Heart of the Ocean necklace was nothing more than a MacGuffin — propelling the story, but not actually important.
• The critics said his story relied too heavily upon a MacGuffin and never resolved the mystery.

About MacGuffin

The ultimate MacGuffin might be the Holy Grail. In many books and movies, heroes embark upon epic adventures in search of it, but it’s never found. Ultimately, the story is really about the voyage and the characters, not the Grail.

Did you Know?

Legendary British filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock is credited with coining this word (sometimes spelled "McGuffin"), but the origin really lies with his screenwriter, Angus MacPhail. The duo used this Scottish surname to describe objects or events that drive the suspense of a story. Famous MacGuffins in cinema include the rug in “The Big Lebowski,” the ring from “Lord of the Rings,” and the briefcase in “Pulp Fiction.”

Comments

[pfrye.livejournal.com]

Illya Kuryakin slapped the mission report down on his desk and glared at his partner. "Napoleon you have reduced my involvement in this mission to nothing more than a MacGuffin!"

He recited from the report, "Agent Kuryakin startled the THRUSH by suddenly allowing himself to be seen, his blond hair bright in the moonlight. Agent Solo continued with his stealthy infiltration of the satrap leading to the eventual destruction of the site."

Napoleon raised his eyebrows, "That's what happened."

"No mention of my laying of explosives, silencing guards or covering your get away? I just stood in the moonlight? Perhaps we need to compare notes?"

Napoleon nodded, "Perhaps you have a point IK."