Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Hocus-pocus

Ho′cus-po′cus

,
Noun.
[Prob. invented by jugglers in imitation of Latin. Cf.
Hoax
,
Hocus
.]
1.
A term used by magicians or conjurers in pretended incantations.
2.
A juggler or trickster.
[Archaic]
Sir T. Herbert.
3.
A magician’s trick; a cheat; nonsense.
Hudibras.

Ho′cus-po′cus

,
Verb.
T.
To cheat.
[Colloq.]
L'Estrange.
2.
A utensil for holding coal; a coal scuttle.

Definition 2024

hocus-pocus

hocus-pocus

See also: hocuspocus and hocus pocus

English

Alternative forms

Interjection

hocus-pocus

  1. A phrase used as a magical incantation to bring about some change.

Translations

Noun

hocus-pocus ‎(uncountable)

  1. A specific act of trickery or nonsense.
    What kind of hocus-pocus is this?

Translations

References

  1. ↑ Compact Oxford English Dictionary. http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/hocuspocus
  2. ↑ “Hocus-pocus”, The Phrase Finder, Gary Martin.

Etymology

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 enim corpus meum, although this is disputed.

Similar Results