Gremlinlike

Gremlinlike is an adjective used to describe something that resembles a gremlin. Gremlins are mythical creatures, often depicted as small, mischievous beings, traditionally blamed for malfunctions and unexplained problems, particularly in machinery and aircraft. Therefore, something described as gremlinlike suggests it possesses characteristics associated with these creatures, such as being unpredictable, troublesome, or prone to causing minor but irritating issues.

The term can be applied to a variety of situations or objects. For instance, a piece of software that frequently crashes or behaves erratically might be called gremlinlike. Similarly, a small, unruly pet or a child engaging in persistent, minor acts of mischief could be described using this adjective. The implication is that the problem or behavior is not necessarily malicious but rather a persistent, almost supernatural nuisance that is difficult to pinpoint or fix.

While gremlins themselves are figures of folklore and popular culture, the adjective "gremlinlike" serves as a shorthand to express a specific type of frustrating, seemingly random, and often elusive problem. It conjures an image of unseen forces at play, causing minor chaos. The word is informal and generally used in a lighthearted, albeit exasperated, manner.