magic formulan.
/ˈmadʒɪk ˈfɔːmjᵿlə/, U.S. /ˈmædʒɪk ˈfɔrmjələ/ 1. A prescribed code or rubric, such as a spoken incantation or recipe for a potion, supposed to produce effects by or as if by magic. Also: a concoction so prepared.
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the mind > language > linguistics > linguistic unit > phrase > [noun] > formula
formulaa1638
cant1681
magic formula1873
1873 J. Fiske Myths & Myth-makers 43 When the avaricious Cassim Baba, absorbed in the contemplation of the bags of gold and bales of rich merchandise, forgets the magic formula, he meets no better fate than the shepherd of the Ilsenstein.
1920 E. Carpenter Pagan & Christan Creeds xiv. 234 Tensest prayers and thanks are offered to the animal for the gift of his body for food. The Magic formula demanded nothing less than this—else dread disaster would fall upon the man who sinned, and upon the whole brotherhood.
1978 Amer. Poetry Rev. July–Aug. 44/4 Incantatory rituals are often marked by the repetition of magic formulas. Abbra Cadabra. Eeny Meeny Minny Mo. Shazam. A Tisket a Tasket or Hi do Hi do hi de ho.
1996 Dallas Morning News (Electronic ed.) 28 June c1 One swig of a magic formula he's developed in the college lab and voila! Suddenly sweet Mr Obesity is lean, mean lady-killer Buddy Love. Too bad the stuff is unstable and wears off when least expected.
2. Something imputed to possess preternatural power to affect or transform: spec.
a. A word or phrase which has assumed great influence or significance, esp. as the embodiment of a principle or doctrine; a watchword, a byword.
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1879 Princeton Rev. July–Dec. 261 L'Ente crea l'Existente was, according to Gioberti, the magic formula, the application of which ought to regenerate science and society; and certainly as it was interpreted and developed in his works..it seemed plausible and fertile.
1913 B. Miall tr. G. Le Bon Psychol. of Revol. ii. i. 163 The Republican device, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity... This magic formula, which is still left engraven on many of our walls until it shall be engraven on our hearts, has really possessed the supernatural power attributed to certain words by the old sorcerers.
1936 Jrnl. Mod. Hist. 8 225 The force of repetition and the lack of exact information have combined to make the term ‘nationality problems’ a magic formula to explain all the ills that harassed the Habsburg Monarchy during its last decades.
1953 E. Wilkins & E. Kaiser tr. R. Musil Man without Qualities I. lvi. 266 This magic formula, which was in use in the Kakanian civil service, stood for Asserviert, which means as much as Awaiting further consideration.
1991 Nous 25 632 It is usually thought that the magic formula, the ‘logical form’, captures two birds with one stone—it articulates both the syntax and truth conditions of the original English.
b. A simply accomplished and highly effective means to a desired end, esp. (frequently in negative constructions) an expedient solution to a problem; a panacea.
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the world > action or operation > advantage > expediency > [noun] > an expedient but temporary solution
quick-fix1896
magic formula1910
workaround1961
1910 Econ. Jrnl. 20 515 The pure utilitarian would have nothing to do with distinctions of quality in happiness—distinctions which are fatal to the simplicity of his magic formula.
1939 Philos. Rev. 48 542 The reader does not discover the magic formula by which economic determinism is to be translated into political freedom.
1959 Midwest Jrnl. Polit. Sci. 3 221 Is there some magic formula by which all may be made right. Spitz's answer is a vigorous ‘No’.
1973 Sunday Bull. (Philadelphia) 7 Oct. (Parade Suppl.) 10/1 There's no magic formula, just dedicated police work.
1992 Economist 26 Dec. 76/3 The political and humanitarian mix may be an open-sesame for entering desperate situations; but there is no such magic formula for getting out again.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, March 2000; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1873