I would have thought that the "Style Manual" of The New York Times would have declared that "Hocus Pocus" was unacceptable language in the "Newspaper of Record". I would have been wrong.
Nobel Laureate Dr Paul Krugman uses it here.
Maybe because it is a "blog" the use of the term is acceptable.
On the other hand, it is Dr Krugman and his incantations reminds one more of theology than science.
Hat tip to Ann Althouse for the article. The disappointment is all mine.
Regards — Cliff
I do prefer the etymological myth that charlatans and conjurers were goofing on medieval priests when they made up and enjoyed to use the term. It is exactly the kind of verbal satire of which the world needs more.
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived in Gloucester, Rockport boys looking for a friendly fight would always sing "eat a pota-a-ato" during the festival of San Pedro, instead of the obligatory "viva San Pe-e-edro".