Magic word
Encyclopedia
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. Magic words are also used as Easter eggs or cheats in computer games, other software, and operating system
s. (For example, the words xyzzy
, plugh, and plover were magic words in the classic computer adventure game Colossal Cave Adventure
).
Craig Conley, a scholar of magic, writes that the magic words used by conjurers may originate from "pseudo-Latin phrases, nonsense syllables, or esoteric terms from religious antiquity," but that what they have in common is "language as an instrument of creation."
Note that the television
game show
You Bet Your Life
, hosted by Groucho Marx
in the 1950s, used the term secret word, not magic word. ("Say the secret word and win a prize!")
uses "magic words" to make system information available to templates and editors, such as
Hexadecimal "words"
used in byte code to identify a specific file or data format are known as magic number
s.
:
The single word changes an imperative order into a conditional request, concisely communicating "Do as I say, if it pleases you."
The "magic" is a result of simple psychology
, because when a person feels respected they are much more likely to choose a harmonious
response.
Likewise, other magic words exist as part of a social contract
, designed to express affection for another. Such words are magic not because of their effect on people (If they were, this would be simple manipulation, not etiquette) but because they make others feel better in context of the situation. For example:
See Etiquette
Nonsense
Nonsense is a communication, via speech, writing, or any other symbolic system, that lacks any coherent meaning. Sometimes in ordinary usage, nonsense is synonymous with absurdity or the ridiculous...
phrases used in fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
fiction or by stage prestidigitators
Magic (illusion)
Magic is a performing art that entertains audiences by staging tricks or creating illusions of seemingly impossible or supernatural feats using natural means...
. Certain comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
heroes use magic words to activate their super powers. Magic words are also used as Easter eggs or cheats in computer games, other software, and operating system
Operating system
An operating system is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system...
s. (For example, the words xyzzy
Xyzzy
Xyzzy is a magic word from the Colossal Cave Adventure computer game.In computing, the word is sometimes used as a metasyntactic variable or as a video game cheat code, the canonical "magic word"...
, plugh, and plover were magic words in the classic computer adventure game Colossal Cave Adventure
Colossal Cave Adventure
Colossal Cave Adventure gave its name to the computer adventure game genre . It was originally designed by Will Crowther, a programmer and caving enthusiast who based the layout on part of the Mammoth Cave system in Kentucky...
).
Invocations of magic
Examples of traditional magic words include:- Aajaye - Used often by the clowns in Jaye's magic circus.
- AbracadabraAbracadabraAbracadabra is an incantation used as a magic word in stage magic tricks, and historically was believed to have healing powers when inscribed on an amulet...
- prototypical magic word used by magicians. - Alla Peanut Butter Sandwiches-used by The Amazing Mumford on Sesame StreetSesame StreetSesame Street has undergone significant changes in its history. According to writer Michael Davis, by the mid-1970s the show had become "an American institution". The cast and crew expanded during this time, including the hiring of women in the crew and additional minorities in the cast. The...
. - Alakazam
- Cei-u used by the DC Comics superhero, Johnny ThunderJohnny ThunderJohnny Thunder is the name of three fictional characters in comics published by DC Comics. A fourth character has the variant name Jonni Thunder.It is also the name of an unrelated Lego character.-Fictional character biography:...
, to summon his magical genie-like Thunderbolt. - Hocus pocusHocus Pocus (magic)Hocus Pocus or hocus-pocus is a generic term that may be derived from an ancient language and is presently used by magicians, usually the magic words spoken when bringing about some sort of change. It was once a common term for a magician, juggler, or other similar entertainer.The origins of the...
- a phrase used by magicians. - Joshikazam used by Josh Nickels, a character from the popular Nickelodeon show "Drake and Josh".
- Klaatu barada niktoKlaatu barada nikto"Klaatu barada nikto" is a phrase originating from the 1951 science fiction film The Day the Earth Stood Still. "Klaatu" is the name of the humanoid alien protagonist in the film. Klaatu commanded Helen Benson that, were anything to happen to him, she must utter the phrase to the robot Gort...
- A phrase used in the 1951 movie The Day The Earth Stood Still. While not intended as magical words in that movie, they were used as such in the spoof horror movie Army of DarknessArmy of DarknessArmy of Darkness, also known as Evil Dead III: Army of Darkness or simply Evil Dead III, is a 1992 horror comedy fantasy action film directed by Sam Raimi. It is the third and final installment in The Evil Dead trilogy. The film was written by Raimi and his brother Ivan, produced by Robert Tapert,...
. - Meeska, Mooska, Mickey Mouse - used on the children's TV series Mickey Mouse ClubhouseMickey Mouse ClubhouseMickey Mouse Clubhouse is a children's television series, that premiered in prime time on Disney Channel on May 5, 2006. The program was originally part of the Playhouse Disney daily block intended for preschoolers...
to make the Clubhouse appear. - Open sesameOpen SesameOpen Sesame is a children's television series composed solely of the skits and segments of the long-running American television series Sesame Street. While some countries air the American program in whole, and some create their own versions of the show, many more air this title of loosely...
- used by the character Ali BabaAli BabaAli Baba is a fictional character from medieval Arabic literature. He is described in the adventure tale of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves...
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 Harry August JansenHarry August JansenHarry August Jansen , was born in Copenhagen, Denmark and settled in the United States. He traveled the world as a professional magician under the name Dante the Magician.-Biography:...
. "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 QuestThe Real Adventures of Jonny QuestThe Real Adventures of Jonny Quest is an animated action-adventure television series produced by Hanna-Barbera Cartoons and broadcast on Cartoon Network from August 26, 1996 to April 16, 1997. A revival of the 1960s Jonny Quest franchise, it features teenage adventurers Jonny Quest, Hadji Singh,...
. - ShazamShazam (comics)Shazam is a comic book character created by Bill Parker and C. C. Beck for Fawcett Comics. He is an ancient sorcerer who gives young Billy Batson the power to transform into the superhero Captain Marvel...
- used by the comic book hero Captain MarvelCaptain Marvel (DC Comics)Captain Marvel is a fictional comic book superhero, originally published by Fawcett Comics and later by DC Comics. Created in 1939 by artist C. C. Beck and writer Bill Parker, the character first appeared in Whiz Comics #2...
. - Izzy wizzy, let's get busy - Used on The Sooty ShowSootySooty is a British glove puppet bear and TV character popular in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and other countries. The children's television show which bears his name has continued in various forms since the 1950s and, according to the Guinness Book of Records, is the...
when using Sooty's magic wandWandA wand is a thin, straight, hand-held stick of wood, stone, ivory, or metal. Generally, in modern language, wands are ceremonial and/or have associations with magic but there have been other uses, all stemming from the original meaning as a synonym of rod and virge, both of which had a similar...
. - Wella Walla Washington - bugs bunny looney tunes
- Mecca lecca hi, mecca hiney ho - Jambi on Pee Wee's Playhouse
Craig Conley, a scholar of magic, writes that the magic words used by conjurers may originate from "pseudo-Latin phrases, nonsense syllables, or esoteric terms from religious antiquity," but that what they have in common is "language as an instrument of creation."
Note that the television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
game show
Game show
A game show is a type of radio or television program in which members of the public, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes...
You Bet Your Life
You Bet Your Life
You Bet Your Life is an American quiz show that aired on both radio and television. The original and best-known version was hosted by Groucho Marx of the Marx Brothers, with announcer and assistant George Fenneman. The show debuted on ABC Radio in October 1947, then moved to CBS Radio in September...
, hosted by Groucho Marx
Groucho Marx
Julius Henry "Groucho" Marx was an American comedian and film star famed as a master of wit. His rapid-fire delivery of innuendo-laden patter earned him many admirers. He made 13 feature films with his siblings the Marx Brothers, of whom he was the third-born...
in the 1950s, used the term secret word, not magic word. ("Say the secret word and win a prize!")
Magic words in technology
Software like MediaWikiMediaWiki
MediaWiki is a popular free web-based wiki software application. Developed by the Wikimedia Foundation, it is used to run all of its projects, including Wikipedia, Wiktionary and Wikinews. Numerous other wikis around the world also use it to power their websites...
uses "magic words" to make system information available to templates and editors, such as
Hexadecimal "words"
Hexspeak
Hexspeak, like leetspeak, is a novelty form of variant English spelling.Hexspeak was created by programmers who wanted a magic number, a clear and unique identifier with which to mark memory or data...
used in byte code to identify a specific file or data format are known as magic number
Magic number (programming)
In computer programming, the term magic number has multiple meanings. It could refer to one or more of the following:* A constant numerical or text value used to identify a file format or protocol; for files, see List of file signatures...
s.
Manners
The term magic word may also refer to the word please when used by adults to teach children mannersManners
In sociology, manners are the unenforced standards of conduct which demonstrate that a person is proper, polite, and refined. They are like laws in that they codify or set a standard for human behavior, but they are unlike laws in that there is no formal system for punishing transgressions, the...
:
"Gimme ketchup now!"
"What's the magic word?"
"Sorry. May I have some ketchup, please?"
Or, from some particularly children: "Gimme ketchup, pleeeEEEEEASE?"
The single word changes an imperative order into a conditional request, concisely communicating "Do as I say, if it pleases you."
The "magic" is a result of simple psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
, because when a person feels respected they are much more likely to choose a harmonious
Harmony
In music, harmony is the use of simultaneous pitches , or chords. The study of harmony involves chords and their construction and chord progressions and the principles of connection that govern them. Harmony is often said to refer to the "vertical" aspect of music, as distinguished from melodic...
response.
Likewise, other magic words exist as part of a social contract
Social contract
The social contract is an intellectual device intended to explain the appropriate relationship between individuals and their governments. Social contract arguments assert that individuals unite into political societies by a process of mutual consent, agreeing to abide by common rules and accept...
, designed to express affection for another. Such words are magic not because of their effect on people (If they were, this would be simple manipulation, not etiquette) but because they make others feel better in context of the situation. For example:
- Please should not be used for just any request, but a request that might be considered unreasonable without it. This is because it is used to reflect the knowledge that the asker understands the trouble involved in the request.
- Thanks is used to show that the other person's actions are valued.
- Sorry is perhaps more important than the first two, as it is used to express regret over one's actions. Without such regret, relationships often dissolve over time. Also, contingent on this idea is the promise of not repeating the action (a promise which may be difficult or impossible to carry out, which is why some people are reluctant to apologize).
- In addition, an unofficial magic word may be added, since it follows a similar idea. The word Stay (not as it is used to dogs, but as the opposite of "Leave!") could be considered magic since it expresses the idea that the person is loved or wanted, and that they belong.
See Etiquette
Etiquette
Etiquette is a code of behavior that delineates expectations for social behavior according to contemporary conventional norms within a society, social class, or group...