Magic word

This article is about words used in stage magic. For formulae used in ceremonial magic, see magical formula. For other uses, see Magic word (disambiguation).

Magic words are phrases used in fantasy fiction or by stage magicians. Frequently such words are presented as being part of a divine, adamic, or other secret or empowered language. Certain comic book heroes use magic words to activate their powers.

Craig Conley, a scholar of magic, writes that the magic words used by conjurers may originate from "pseudo-Latin phrases, nonsense syllables, or esoteric terms from religious antiquity", but that what they have in common is "language as an instrument of creation".

Easter eggs and cheats in computer games and other software can be seen as a form of magic word, and the word please is sometimes described to children as "the magic word" for its important social effect.

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