skunkworks

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A loosely organized research and development team or facility.

Word forms

skunkworks skunk works

Etymology

From skunk + works, since c. 1943. Skunk Works was the nickname of Lockheed Advanced Development Projects, eventually gaining official recognition. The name is derived from a mysterious, foul-smelling “skonk oil”-brewing facility called the Skonk Works in the comic strip L'il Abner by Al Capp.

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