shazamint.
/ʃəˈzam/ Children's slang.
A ‘magic’ word used like ‘abracadabra’ or ‘presto’ to introduce an extraordinary deed or story.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > the occult > sorcery, witchcraft, or magic > enchantment or casting spells > [interjection] > magic word
presto change1812
presto1821
shazam1940
1940 Whiz Comics No. 2 5 ‘Speak my name!’ ‘Shazam!’..As Billy speaks the magic word he becomes Captain Marvel.
1964 Playboy May 63 (advt) Shazam!
1976 in M. Horn World Encycl. Comics 157/1 Captain Marvel was really a homeless orphan named Billy Batson who was taken to see the old wizard Shazam. When Billy spoke his name, he was magically transformed... The lure of simply yelling ‘Shazam’—which stood for Solomon's wisdom, Hercules' strength, Atlas' stamina, Zeus' power, Achilles' courage, and Mercury's speed.
1978 Amer. Poetry Rev. July–Aug. 44/4 Incantatory rituals are often marked by the repetition of magic formulas. Abbra Cadabra. Enny Meeny Minny Mo. Shazam. A Tisket a Tasket or Hi do Hi do hi de ho.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1986; most recently modified version published online March 2018).
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