Hornswoggle
/ˈhɔːn.swɒɡ.əl/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Moderate ·College level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 nonsense; humbug slang
Verb
- 1 To deceive or trick. slang, transitive
"Don't let them hornswoggle you into buying anything you don't need."
- 2 deprive of by deceit wordnet
Example
More examples"The whole thing was just a hornswoggle."
Etymology
Unknown, 1829 US, jocular coinage like contemporary absquatulate. Presumably horns + waggle with humorous faux ablaut or combination with wobble (compare later woggle, 1923), perhaps inspired by lassoed steers trying to escape by moving their head.