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Attorney Quote by John Arbuthnot

“Hocus was an old cunning attorney. The words of consecration, "Hoc est corpus," were travestied into a nickname for jugglery, as "Hocus-pocus." - John Richard Green, A Short History of the English People, 1874. see Charles Macklin.” quote by John Arbuthnot
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“Hocus was an old cunning attorney. The words of consecration, "Hoc est corpus," were travestied into a nickname for jugglery, as "Hocus-pocus." - John Richard Green, A Short History of the English People, 1874. see Charles Macklin.”

John Arbuthnot

About This Quote

Source Book: A Short History of the English People, 1874

Hocus-pocus originated from a sacred phrase twisted into a magician’s trick.

In simple terms: Sacred words became a magic nickname.

Key Takeaway

Recognize how language evolves.

Themes

language history culture

Mood

curious playful

Type

historical linguistic

When to use this quote

  • magic shows
  • branding
  • political rhetoric
  • social media

Key Concepts

etymology folklore

Questions to Reflect On

  • What other sacred terms have become colloquial?
  • How does language shape perception?
A Different Perspective

Meanings can shift unpredictably.

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