Hoax

Noun

Definition: A humorous or malicious deception or trick played on someone.

Synonyms: Prank, Practical joke, Fraud

Antonyms: Truth, Reality

Examples:

The news of a UFO sighting was later revealed to be a hoax.
He played a hoax on his friends by pretending to be a famous celebrity.

Mnemonics:

Think of a clown playing a prank, a humorous hoax.

Verb

Definition: To deceive or trick someone, especially in a playful or malicious manner.

Synonyms: Deceive, Trick, Dupe

Antonyms: Reveal, Expose

Examples:

The students planned to hoax their teacher by staging a fake fire drill.
She hoaxed her sister by pretending to have lost her favorite toy.

Mnemonics:

"Hoax" sounds like "jokes" - they are both about deceiving someone for amusement.

Etymology:

Origin:

The word "hoax" originated in the late 18th century, derived from the verb "hocus," which means to deceive or cheat. It may also have roots in the phrase "hocus pocus," which was commonly used by magicians to distract and deceive their audience.

Historical Usage:

The term gained popularity in the late 18th and early 19th centuries as a way to describe deceptive pranks or tricks.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"Pull a hoax"

Explanation:

To successfully deceive someone with a trick or prank.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Confusing a hoax with a legitimate or genuine occurrence.

Explanation:

A hoax is intentionally fabricated to deceive or trick, while a genuine occurrence is not intended to deceive.