hocus-pocus
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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English [edit]
Alternative forms [edit]
Etymology [edit]
Dates from the 17th century when used by jugglers and magicians as a nonsense magical incantation. [1][2]. Some believe it is a corruption of words from the Roman Catholic liturgy of the Eucharist, hoc est corpus meum, although this is disputed.
Interjection [edit]
- A phrase used as a magical incantation to bring about some change.
Translations [edit]
a phrase used as a magical incantation
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Noun [edit]
hocus-pocus (uncountable)
- A specific act of trickery or nonsense.
- What kind of hocus-pocus is this?
Translations [edit]
act of trickery or nonsense
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References [edit]
- ^ Compact Oxford English Dictionary. [1] http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/hocuspocus
- ^ “Hocus-pocus”, The Phrase Finder, Gary Martin.
