hokum

hokum
/hoh"keuhm/, n.
1. out-and-out nonsense; bunkum.
2. elements of low comedy introduced into a play, novel, etc., for the laughs they may bring.
3. sentimental matter of an elementary or stereotyped kind introduced into a play or the like.
4. false or irrelevant material introduced into a speech, essay, etc., in order to arouse interest, excitement, or amusement.
[1915-20, Amer.; prob. b. HOCUS-POCUS and BUNKUM]

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  • Hokum —   [amerikanisch, həʊkəm]. Das Wort stammt aus den Minstrel Shows, wo es mit einer Mischung von Herablassung und Nostalgie eine eher gutmütige Verspottung oder Karikierung der traditionellen ländlichen Lebensformen bezeichnete. In den… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • hokum — 1917, theater slang, melodramatic, exaggerated acting, probably formed on model of bunkum (see BUNK (Cf. bunk) (2)), and perhaps influenced by or based on HOCUS POCUS (Cf. hocus pocus) …   Etymology dictionary

  • hokum — ► NOUN informal 1) nonsense. 2) trite or sentimental material in a film, book, etc. ORIGIN of unknown origin …   English terms dictionary

  • hokum — ☆ hokum [hō′kəm ] n. [altered < HOCUS( POCUS)] Slang 1. trite or mawkish sentiment, crude humor, etc. used to get a quick emotional response from an audience 2. nonsense; humbug; claptrap …   English World dictionary

  • Hokum — This article refers to a particular song type of American blues music, and a comedic style prevalent in blues and country music. For other use, see hokum (disambiguation)Hokum is a particular song type of American blues music a humorous song… …   Wikipedia

  • Hokum — Das Wort Hokum bedeutet Humbug, Schwindelei, Aufschneiderei, Unsinn. Über den Ursprung des Wortes gibt es unterschiedliche Meinungen. Möglicherweise besteht eine etymologische Verwandtschaft mit dem Ausdruck Hokuspokus. Hokum oder Hokum Blues ist …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • hökumət — is. <ər.> Dövlət hakimiyyətinin, dövləti bilavasitə idarə edən icraedici və sərəncamverici orqanı. Hökumət binası. Hökumətin xarici siyasətində sülh uğrunda mübarizə əsas yer tutur. – Bir ölkənin milyon milyon vətəndaşı; Başqa başqa… …   Azərbaycan dilinin izahlı lüğəti

  • hokum — [[t]ho͟ʊkəm[/t]] N UNCOUNT If you describe something as hokum, you think it is nonsense. [INFORMAL] The book is enjoyable hokum. Syn: nonsense …   English dictionary

  • hokum — [“hokam] n. nonsense. □ All that is just hokum. □ No more hokum. I want the truth …   Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions

  • hokum — ho|kum [ˈhəukəm US ˈhou ] n [U] [Date: 1900 2000; Origin: Probably from hocus pocus + bunkum] informal something that seems true or impressive but that is wrong or not sincere ▪ All that talk is just a bunch of hokum …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • hokum — noun (U) slang especially AmE stupid talk, especially talk used to deceive someone or make them admire you: All that talk about improving schools is just a bunch of hokum …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

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