hornswoggle
(slang) nonsense; humbug.
ˈhɔːn.swɒɡ.əlDocumented since 1820sSilenthistorical180 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026＋ Add a definition
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Born ~1829 · no dated citations yet19th centurySee decade cohort →
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#1·Apr 27, 2026
(slang) nonsense; humbug.
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#2·Apr 27, 2026
(transitive, slang) To deceive or trick.
Don't let them hornswoggle you into buying anything you don't need.
Origin: , 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. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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