noun
hokum
HOH-kum/ˈhəʊkəm/
Empty or insincere material presented to impress an audience.
The grand presentation is hokum, displaying an equation that the simple counters disprove.
Etymology
Hokum first meant exaggerated, melodramatic acting, connecting today's nonsense with theatrical showiness. It was probably modeled on bunkum, meaning nonsense, and perhaps also influenced by or based on hocus-pocus.
In context
History of psychiatry is replete with examples of theoretical hokum informing spectacular cures.
More examples
- The movie's tearful reunion feels like pure hokum.
- Don't believe the hokum in that sales pitch.
- She dismisses his claims of instant success as hokum.