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hokum

 - 2 dictionary results

ho⋅kum

  [hoh-kuhm]
Use hokum in a Sentence
–noun
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.
Origin:
1915–20, Americanism; prob. b. hocus-pocus and bunkum
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To hokum
ho·kum   (hō'kəm)   
n.  

  1. Something apparently impressive or legitimate but actually untrue or insincere; nonsense.

  2. A stock technique for eliciting a desired response from an audience.


[Perhaps ho(cus-pocus) + (bun)kum.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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