charlatan
pronunciation
How to pronounce charlatan in British English:
UK [ˈʃɑ:lətən]
How to pronounce charlatan in American English:
US [ˈʃɑrlətən]
-
- Noun:
- a flamboyant deceiver; one who attracts customers with tricks or jokes
Word Origin
- charlatan
- charlatan: [17] Charlatan is of Italian origin. It comes from the verb cialare ‘chatter, prattle’. Its original application was to the patter of salesmen trying to sell quack remedies, and hence Italian ciarlatano at first referred to such vendors, and then by extension to any dispenser of impostures. Some etymologists have sought to connect the word with Italian Cerretano, literally ‘inhabitant of Cerreto’, an Italian village supposedly noted for exaggeration, alleging that it may have contributed its suffix to ciarlatano and reinforced its meaning. However that may be, the word reached English in its current from via French charlatan.
- charlatan (n.)
- 1610s, from French charlatan "mountebank, babbler" (16c.), from Italian ciarlatano "a quack," from ciarlare "to prate, babble," from ciarla "chat, prattle," perhaps imitative of ducks' quacking. Related: Charlatanism; charlatanical; charlatanry.
Example
- 1. According to wikipedia , that table-standing midget in blue is a charlatan .
- 2. Who sent that thieving charlatan on to my ship ?
- 3. The doctor was either a charlatan or a shrewd old rogue .
- 4. Being blackballed by a major university and accusations of being a " charlatan . "
- 5. Incapable of moral clarity he could never quite admit to himself that he was a charlatan and that his scheme was an impossible fiasco .