Magic word

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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.)

Software such as MediaWiki use magic words to make system information available to templates and editors, such as 23:00, which displays the server time: 23:00, see .

Examples of traditional magic words include:

Abracadabra - prototypical magic word used by magicians
Alakazam
Hocus pocus - a phrase used by magicians (it can also refer to magic itself)
Open sesame - used by the character Ali Baba in the English version of a tale from the collection popularly known as 1001 Arabian Nights
Presto chango - used by magicians (probably intended to suggest "quick change")
Shazam - used by the comic book hero 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!")

The term magic word may also refer to the word when used by adults to teach children politeness:

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

External link

[Magic Words: A Dictionary] - info on book

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