hornswoggle

[ hawrn-swog-uhl ]

verb (used with object)

, Slang.

, horn·swog·gled, horn·swog·gling.

1. to swindle, cheat, hoodwink, or hoax.

hornswoggle

/ ˈhɔːnˌswɒɡəl /

verb

1. slang.
   tr to cheat or trick; bamboozle

Word History and Origins

Origin of hornswoggle¹

1815–25 origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of hornswoggle¹

C19: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

He continues: “Down the road, it’ll be just one more instance when voters thought they were doing the right thing and they were hornswoggled. It fuels cynicism and bitterness and mistrust in government.”

From Los Angeles Times

His ability to hornswoggle tens of millions of voters is no laughing matter.

From Washington Post

Or, had President Trump hornswoggled multiple Congressional leaders, hundreds of Congressional Republicans and key players in his administration into believing he would sign this particular package?

From Fox News

Here are some things you can do afterward to see if you’ve been hornswoggled: Check the font of the logo.

From Golf Digest

The only sensible conclusion from all of this is that the superrich will settle, plead or hornswoggle their way out of any attempt to cancel their status.

From Washington Post

More About Hornswoggle

Where does hornswoggle come from?

Hornswoggle, as noted in our definition above, means “to swindle, cheat, or hoax.” But, it would be cheating for us to say we know where hornswoggle comes from exactly. Its earliest known appearance so far is in the U.S. around 1815–25.

Is hornswoggle supposed to sound like some hullabaloo from some sort of trumpet? Did a hog get all washed up? Well, sometimes nonsense words are just that—nonsense. Ultimately, hornswoggle is probably just a fanciful, funny formation.

Many more amusing Americanisms await in our slideshow “These Wacky Words Originated In The USA.”

Did you know … ?

Hornswoggle has an equally silly-sounding synonym in bamboozle, and other handy synonyms for “cheating” include dupe, swindle, and fool.

Looking for more synonyms? (Not that we hope you have any practical need for ‘em!) Steal your way over to Thesaurus.com and check out the many alternatives for cheat.