hornswoggle

[ hawrn-swog-uhl ]

verb (used with object)

, Slang.

, horn·swog·gled, horn·swog·gling.

1. to swindle, cheat, hoodwink, or hoax.

hornswoggle

/ ˈhɔːnˌswɒɡəl /

verb

1. slang.
   tr to cheat or trick; bamboozle

Word History and Origins

Origin of hornswoggle¹

1815–25 origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of hornswoggle¹

C19: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

The fellow I've been having so much fun with—the Nervy Matt that tried to hornswoggle me with my own photograph.

From Project Gutenberg

More About Hornswoggle

Where does hornswoggle come from?

Hornswoggle, as noted in our definition above, means “to swindle, cheat, or hoax.” But, it would be cheating for us to say we know where hornswoggle comes from exactly. Its earliest known appearance so far is in the U.S. around 1815–25.

Is hornswoggle supposed to sound like some hullabaloo from some sort of trumpet? Did a hog get all washed up? Well, sometimes nonsense words are just that—nonsense. Ultimately, hornswoggle is probably just a fanciful, funny formation.

Many more amusing Americanisms await in our slideshow “These Wacky Words Originated In The USA.”

Did you know … ?

Hornswoggle has an equally silly-sounding synonym in bamboozle, and other handy synonyms for “cheating” include dupe, swindle, and fool.

Looking for more synonyms? (Not that we hope you have any practical need for ‘em!) Steal your way over to Thesaurus.com and check out the many alternatives for cheat.