borphin

A borphin is a odd looking object which kind of looks like it has an important purpose but the exact purpose becomes more elusive the longer you look at it.

Talked about by Dr. Suess in the book "Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?"

Every morning at six, Mr. Bix wakes up because he has a Borphin to fix. The borphin is schlumping and so he has to unschlump it.