Heath Robinson
adjective /ˌhiːθ ˈrɒbɪnsən/
/ˌhiːθ ˈrɑːbɪnsən/
(British English) (North American English Rube Goldberg)
[only before noun] (humorous)- (of machines and devices) having a very complicated design, especially when used to perform a very simple task; not practical
- a Heath Robinson contraption
Word Originearly 20th cent.: named after W. Heath Robinson (1872-1944), the English cartoonist and illustrator.