snake oil

noun

1. any of various liquid concoctions of questionable medical value sold as an all-purpose curative, especially by traveling hucksters.

2. Slang.,  deceptive talk or actions; hooey; bunkum.

   The governor promised to lower taxes, but it was the same old snake oil.

Other Word Forms

• snake-oil adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of snake oil¹

An Americanism dating back to 1925–30

Idioms and Phrases

see under banana oil.

Example Sentences

On Tuesday, Starmer attempted to rally the troops, railing against “snake oil salesmen” on the left and the right of politics, while promising a more muscular state that would intervene to help working people.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"Our voice, the voice that's always fought for them is getting drowned out by the carnival of charlatans and the circus of snake oil salesmen."

Read more on BBC

When Goop debuted, it sometimes felt like snake oil.

Read more on Salon

A certain snake oil salesman ensured that would be impossible.

Read more on Salon

After Mamdani's win, however, perhaps sensing a greater threat, Adams - who is running for mayor as an independent in November - called him a "snake oil salesman".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• nostrum