Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun The word “please,” used as a reminder or prompt to say “please”.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun Any word that has a
magical effect when uttered. - noun
Mnemonic of the wordplease .
Etymologies
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Examples
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treeseed commented on the word magic word
Magic words are words which have a specific, and sometimes unintended, effect. They are often nonsense phrases used in fantasy fiction or by stage prestidigitators. Certain comic book heroes use magic words to activate their super powers.
Abracadabra - prototypical magic word used by magicians
Alakazam
Cei-u used by the DC Comics superhero, Johnny Thunder, to summon his magical genie-like Thunderbolt
Hocus pocus - a phrase used by magicians
Klaatu barada nikto - A phrase used in the 1951 movie "The Day The Earth Stood Still"
Open sesame - used by the character Ali Baba in the English version of a tale from the collection popularly known as 1001 Arabian Nights
Presto chango or Hey Presto - used by magicians (probably intended to suggest "quick change")
Sim Sala Bim a phrase used by magicians; popular in the 19th Century. Also, "Sim Sim Sala Bim" are the magic words said by Hadji on the shows The Adventures of Jonny Quest and The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest.
Shazam - used by the comic book hero Captain Marvel
Izzy wizzy, let's get busy - Used on The Sooty Show when using Sooty's magic wand.
_Wikipedia
January 25, 2008