hocus-pocus

[hoh-kuhs-poh-kuhs]

noun

1. a meaningless chant or expression used in conjuring or incantation.

2. a juggler's trick; sleight of hand.

3. trickery; deception.

   Synonyms: double-dealing, hanky-panky, dishonesty, deceit

4. unnecessarily mysterious or elaborate activity or talk to cover up a deception, magnify a simple purpose, etc.

verb (used with object)

hocus-pocused, hocus-pocusing , hocus-pocussed, hocus-pocussing .

1. to play tricks on or with.

verb (used without object)

hocus-pocused, hocus-pocusing , hocus-pocussed, hocus-pocussing .

1. to perform tricks; practice trickery or deception.

hocus-pocus

/ ˈhəʊkəsˈpəʊkəs /

noun

1. trickery or chicanery

2. mystifying jargon

3. an incantation used by conjurors or magicians when performing tricks

4. conjuring skill or practice

verb

1. to deceive or trick (someone)

Word History and Origins

Origin of hocus-pocus¹

First recorded in 1615–25; pseudo-Latin rhyming formula used by jugglers and magicians

Word History and Origins

Origin of hocus-pocus¹

C17: perhaps a dog-Latin formation invented by jugglers