Where does the word “gremlin” come from and What does gremlin mean in Irish?

The gremlin was born during the early stages of World War II, sired by British aviators, but otherwise of uncertain parentage, though possibly from the womb of the Irish term gruaimin, “an ill-natured runt.”

He was very small, though wholly invisible.

And it was his delight to ride in anyone’s airplane and perform mischievous tricks upon engine, wings, gun, propeller, flaps, or other part, unaccountable but most annoying or disastrous to the flyer.

He was just some sort of goblin who resented man’s use of the air for the waging of warfare.