Hoax May Be a Shortening of Hocus-Pocus
A hoax is a deliberate deception. Its likely source is a conjuror's nonsense phrase.
A hoax is a deliberate deception intended to be believed. It appears in English around 1800 and the usual explanation is that it is a contraction of *hocus*, itself from *hocus-pocus*, the mock-Latin patter of conjurors. The magician's nonsense gave the language a word for tricking people. *Hocus-pocus* is often said to parody the Latin mass, though that account is disputed and no origin is settled.
- A deception. *An elaborate hoax.*
- To deceive. *They hoaxed the press.*
- Hocus-pocus — the likely source. *Hocus-pocus.*
- Hoaxer — the perpetrator. *A hoaxer.*
- From about 1800. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | hoax | A hoax. |
| Plural | hoaxes | Hoaxes. |
| Verb | hoax | Hoaxed. |
| Agent | hoaxer | A hoaxer. |
| Related | hocus-pocus | Hocus-pocus. |
- The photograph was a hoax.Deception.
- Reporters were hoaxed.Verb.
- It likely comes from hocus.Etymology.
Hoax and its neighbours
- Hoax — meant to be believed, at least for a while
- Prank — meant to be discovered quickly
- Fraud — deception for material gain
- Forgery — a false object presented as genuine
- Urban legend — a false story spread without a single author
Probably a contraction of *hocus*, from *hocus-pocus*, recorded in English from about 1800.
Where does hoax come from?
Most likely from hocus, shortened from hocus-pocus, the mock-Latin patter used by conjurors.
What is the difference between a hoax and a prank?
A hoax is designed to be believed. A prank is meant to be discovered, usually quickly.