different between abracadabra vs shazaam

English

Etymology

From Late Latin abracadabra, a word used in magical writings, of uncertain origin. Relationships have been suggested with Abraxas (a Gnostic deity), and with various Aramaic or Hebrew terms ???? ?????? (avra kedavra, literally “what was said has come to pass”), ??????? ?????????? (avda kedavara, literally “what was said has been done”); ????-???-????? (arba-e?ad-arba, literally “four-one-four”), but there is little supporting evidence.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?ab??k??dab??/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?æ.b??.k??dæ.b??/

Noun

abracadabra (plural abracadabras)

1. A use of the mystical term ‘abracadabra’, supposed to work as part of a healing charm or a magical spell; any spell or incantation making use of the word. [from 16th c.]
2. Mumbo-jumbo; obscure language or technicalities; jargon. [from 19th c.]

Translations

Interjection

abracadabra

1. Used to indicate that a magic trick or other illusion has been performed. [from 19th c.]

   Synonym: hey presto

Translations

Further reading

• abracadabra at OneLook Dictionary Search

References

French

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /a.b?a.ka.da.b?a/

Interjection

abracadabra

1. abracadabra

Derived terms

• abracadabrant

Noun

abracadabra m (plural abracadabras)

1. An unspecified magical formula.
2. (historical) A mystical word from kabbalism.

Further reading

• “abracadabra” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

Portuguese

Interjection

abracadabra

1. abracadabra (used to indicate that a magic trick or other illusion has been performed)

Spanish

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ab?aka?dab?a/, [a.???a.ka?ð?a.???a]

Interjection

abracadabra

1. abracadabra

Usage notes

The Royal Spanish Academy notes that this is masculine, cf. other words of Greek origin that end in -a, such as diploma or idioma. They furthermore consider it a noun.

Further reading

• “abracadabra” in Diccionario de la lengua española, Vigésima tercera edición, Real Academia Española, 2014.

English

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Interjection

shazaam

1. Used to indicate that a magic trick or other illusion has been performed.

   Synonyms: abracadabra, alakazam, hocus-pocus, presto chango, presto, voila, ta-da

   • 1968, Michael T. Malloy, The Art of Retirement, page 74

     and before you can say "Shazaam!" he is translated into Sgt. Moffatt of the Laguna Hills security force.

   • 2004, Robert M. Sapolsky, Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers, page 125

     Suddenly, you find yourself worrying about the strength of the dollar versus the euro and — shazaam — you switch from parasympathetic to sympathetic far faster than you wanted.