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Encyclopedia > 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. Magic words are also used as Easter eggs or cheats in computer games, other software, and operating systems. (For example, the words xyzzy, plugh, and plover were magic words in the classic computer adventure game Colossal Cave Adventure.) Nonsense is an utterance or written text in what appears to be a human language or other symbolic system, that does not in fact carry any identifiable meaning. ... Smaug in his lair: an illustration for the fantasy The Hobbit Fantasy is a genre of art that uses magic and other supernatural forms as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... A comic book is a magazine or book containing the art form of comics. ... A virtual Easter egg is a hidden message or feature in an object such as a movie, book, CD, DVD, computer program, or video game. ... // An operating system (OS) is a set of computer programs that manage the hardware and software resources of a computer. ... Colossal Cave Adventure (also known as ADVENT, Colossal Cave, or Adventure) (Crowther & Woods, 1976) was the first computer adventure game. ...

Contents

Invocations of magic

Examples of traditional magic words include:


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."[1] Abracadabra (sometimes spelled Abrakadabra) is a word used as an incantation. ... Alakazam , Foodin in original Japanese language versions) is one of 493 fictional species of Pokémon in the Pokémon franchise. ... DC Comics is an American comic book and related media company. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Hocus Pocus is a generic term used by magicians, usually the magic words spoken when bringing about some sort of change. ... This article cites very few or no references or sources. ... Open Sesame is a childrens television series comprised solely of the skits and segments of the legendary American television series Sesame Street. ... Ali Baba by Maxfield Parrish (1909). ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... (Redirected from 1001 Arabian Nights) The Book of One Thousand and One Nights (كتاب ألف ليلة و ليلة in Arabic or هزار و یک شب in Persian), also known as The book of a... For other meanings of Presto, see Presto (disambiguation). ... Shazam is a comic book character created by Bill Parker and C.C. Beck for Fawcett Comics. ... For other uses, see Captain Marvel. ...


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!") “Quiz show” redirects here. ... You Bet Your Life was an American radio and television quiz show. ... Julius Henry Marx, AKA Groucho Marx (October 2, 1890 – August 19, 1977), was an American comedian, working both with his siblings, the Marx Brothers, and on his own. ... This does not cite any references or sources. ...


Magic words in technology

Software like MediaWiki uses "magic words" to make system information available to templates and editors, such as {{CURRENTTIME}}, which displays the server time: 00:22, see Help:Magic words. MediaWiki is a web-based wiki software application used by all projects of the Wikimedia Foundation, all wikis hosted by Wikia, and many other wikis, including some of the largest and most popular ones. ...


Hexadecimal "words" used in byte code to identify a specific file or data format are known as magic numbers. Hexspeak, like leetspeak, is a novelty form of variant English spelling. ... In computer programming, a magic number is a constant used to identify the file or data type employed. ...


Manners

The term magic word may also refer to the word please when used by adults to teach children manners: // In sociology, manners are the unenforced standards of conduct which show the actor to be cultured, polite, and refined. ...

"Gimme ketchup!"
"What's the magic word?"
"Sorry. May I have some ketchup, please?"

The reason why the word please has seemingly magical powers is because it expresses respect for the person's freedom of choice. This single word changes an imperative order into a conditional request, concisely communicating "Do as I say, if it pleases you." This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Free-Will is a Japanese independent record label founded in 1986. ...


The "magic" is a result of simple psychology, because when a person feels respected they are much more likely to choose a harmonious response. Psychology (from Greek: ψυχή, psukhē, spirit, soul; and λόγος, logos, knowledge) is an academic / applied discipline involving the scientific study of mental processes and behavior of humans and animals. ... Harmony is the use and study of pitch simultaneity, and therefore chords, actual or implied, in music. ...


In the Addams Family films, the "magic word" is Now! The Addams Family is an Academy Award-nominated comedy film based on the popular characters, The Addams Family, created by cartoonist Charles Addams. ...


References

  1. ^ Conley, Craig (2006). Magic Words: A Dictionary (revised second edition). In-Spired. 

See also

It has been suggested that True name (legal) be merged into this article or section. ...

External links


  Results from FactBites:
 
ORIGINS OF MAGIC - Introduction (0 words)
The "origins of magic" that we seek and refer to here, are that of at which time "magic" was first recognized as an art form and amusing entertainment.
It is believed that "magic" is based on the Greek word "magi", a word used (by the Grecians) to describe the priestly members of the ancient caste of Zoroaster followers, when they migrated from Persia to Greece.
These words might have served as a warning to the first deceivers and tricksters, who dared to cross the line of morality and honesty with their newfounded skills.
The Magician's Hidden Library (0 words)
Magic Words: A Dictionary is a one-of-a-kind resource for magicians and word lovers, exploring the most intriguing magic words and phrases from around the world.
Magic words are naturally as old as conjuring itself, echoes of the rhythm and vibration of creative power.
The magic word, whether it be abracadabra or another of the magician’s choosing, resonates with the audience because there is an instinctive understanding that words are powerful, creative forces.
  More results at FactBites »


 

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