🇯🇵Japanese Source WordCode: JA

たわごと

Pronunciation / Transliteration: tawagoto

🇬🇧 Direct English Meaning:
Hokum/ˈhoʊ.kəm/
nounCEFR C1 (Advanced)Top #14500 frequency
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🇯🇵 Example Sentence in Japanese:

"彼の説明は完全なたわごとだった。"

Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    Nonsense, bunk, or meaningless talk; behavior or material that is false or pretentious.

    "He dismissed the politician's promises as pure political hokum."
  2. 2

    Clichés or theatrical devices traditionally used in entertainment to produce a desired emotional reaction from the audience.

    "The play relied heavily on old-fashioned melodramatic hokum."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Originating in the United States in the early 20th century, 'hokum' is widely believed to be a blend of 'humbug' and 'ocus-pocus'. Initially used in theatrical and vaudeville circles to describe clichés or sentimental elements designed to elicit a predictable audience response, its meaning broadened to mean nonsense or deceit.

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