![]() 1600).Įdward Moor, "Suffolk Words and Phrases" (London, 1823), quotes a list of "conceited rhyming words or reduplications" from the 1768 edition of John Ray's "Collection of English Words Not Generally Used," all said to "signify any confusion or mixture " the list has higgledy-piggledy, hurly-burly, hodge-podge, mingle-mangle, arsy-versy, kim-kam, hub-bub, crawly-mauly, and hab-nab. Reduplications in the h-/ p- pattern are common (as in hanky-panky, hocus-pocus, hinch(y)-pinch(y), an obsolete children's game, attested from c. "confusedly, hurriedly," 1590s, a "vocal gesture" probably formed from pig and the animal's suggestions of mess and disorder. of whole, in sham-Latin form." As a noun meaning "juggler's tricks," hocus-pocus is recorded from 1640s. Ĭompare hiccus doccius or hiccus doctius, "formula used by jugglers in performing their feats" (1670s), also a common name for a juggler, which OED says is "conjectured to be a corruption of" Latin hicce es doctus "here is the learned man," "if not merely a nonsense formula simulating Latin." Also compare holus-bolus (adv.) "all at a gulp, all at once," which Century Dictionary calls "A varied redupl. who called himself, the Kings Majesties most excellent Hocus Pocus, and so was called, because that at the playing of every Trick, he used to say, Hocus pocus, tontus tabantus, vade celeriter jubeo, a dark composure of words, to blinde the eyes of the beholders, to make his Trick pass the more currantly without discovery. It was his amazing guitar playing along with Thys Van Leer's incredible classical range gave Focus that distinct sound.Magical formula used in conjuring, 1630s, earlier Hocas Pocas, common name of a magician or juggler (1620s) a sham-Latin invocation used by jugglers, perhaps based on a perversion of the sacramental blessing from the Mass, Hoc est corpus meum "This is my body." The first to make this speculation on its origin apparently was English prelate John Tillotson (1630-1694). Focus went on to make some pretty original albums including "Hamburger Concerto" but one by one the members left: Cyril Havvermans, Pierre van Der Liden, then the final blow was when Jan Akkerman left. Andrew from London, EnglandNot their only hit: Sylvia was also a hit the following year from the same album.Nice job covering this, very unexpected !! Mike from Midletown, CtThe Canadian band "The Guess Who" known for "American Woman " and other lesser known songs played this song as part of their live sets in the late 1990's.Aline from Brasilia, BrazilThis is the most stupid song I've ever heard.Jon from Enumclaw, WaI freaking love this song it rocks so hard and very under played!!!.Glenn from Auckland, New ZealandThe instrumental "House of Kings" was the theme music to science programme "Don't Ask Me" in the late 70's.Akkerman regards "Hocus Pocus" as his song and doesn't credit Van Leer. There is a long running feud between Van Leer and Akkerman. Glenn from Auckland, New ZealandI believe that it was a minor hit for them.Dawn from Sloansville, NyI love this song!.There WAS, however, ANOTHER, faster release too. Here in the USA-I don't know about both but an immensely edited-down cut that is the same speed was issued and a February 1973 chart entry hit. ![]() Steve from Whittier, CaThere were TWO single versions.I've read that in the US, they only released instrumentals as neither Van Leer or Akkerman could speak English. Its hard to believe it was 40 years ago now (May 2013) this song was climbing the charts. Mark from Rogers,, ArMy favorite song from my favorite year, 1973.NPR's Jennifer Sharpe describes it as "a kind of hiccupping, rhythmic wheeze that started in rural Tennessee more than 100 years ago." This from Wikipedia, "Eefing (also written eeephing, eephing, eeefing, eefin, or eefn') is an Appalachian (United States) vocal technique similar to beatboxing, but nearly a century older. Terri Lilly from Winter Springs, FloridaThis song contains elements of what is called eefing.
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