on the fritz

== English == === Etymology === Unknown. Attested from 1902, originally meaning “in a bad way” or “in bad condition”, malfunctioning of an appliance. Perhaps from German name Fritz, or onomatopoeic (here, imitating the sound of electric sparks jumping). === Pronunciation === Rhymes: -ɪts === Prepositional phrase === on the fritz (idiomatic, Northern US) Of an electrical or mechanical appliances, out of order; malfunctioning; broken. Synonyms: fritzed, bung (Australian), on the blink (UK, Australia), spaz (offensive) ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === References ===