It may well stick, although most things end up being called "the thing" due to brain fade.
My Dad was the same when he was fixing the car.
Dad to me: Fetch the thing will you...
Me to Dad: What thing?
Dad to me: The THING! In the workshop you know, it's on top of the thing.
Me to Dad: (playing up a bit by now) What thing? On top of which thing?
This would go back and forth for a while until he would then extricate himself from under the car, storm to the workshop, pick up some stilsons or some such and shout
"This friggin' thing!"
Cue the whole family rolling around laughing at him.