A Bamboozling Hornswoggle: Exploring Odd Words

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you’ve been hornswoggled or bamboozled? As I woke up this morning, the word “hornswoggled” popped into my head. I couldn’t help but wonder about the origins of such unusual words and whether they always carried the same meaning they do today.

A friend and I often discuss the origins of unusual words. With the Internet, it is usually easy to investigate. It becomes apparent that others have frequently asked about the words before us.

Odd Word Origins

Hornswoggled means to be tricked, deceived, or bamboozled. Bamboozled, another great word – I love how it’s used as the definition for hornswoggled. But first, let’s explore hornswoggled. What an unusual word! To hornswoggle or to be hornswoggled. It’s lyrical and fun. But what is its origin? It has been suggested that hornswoggled comes from a lassoed cow successfully thrashing her head to break free. Most sources claim the origin is unknown, but the cow theory sounds plausible. I can imagine the irritated cow tossing her head about until the rope is thrown from her. Then she prances off with her horns held high.

If you haven’t been hornswoggled, perhaps you’ve been bamboozled. This word has been around since the early 1700s. Is it from the Scottish “bumbazed” (to confuse or mystify) or from the French “embauiner” (to make a baboon of.) The baboons I’ve met are vicious, intelligent, straightforward creatures, so I’m unsure if the French version fits. My most vivid memory of baboons was when one of my traveling companions opened a bag of potato chips next to an open car window in Uganda. The large male baboon heard the tell-tale sound of food and was ready to launch himself into the car. The offender was told to quietly but quickly roll up the window before the baboon came into the car. It could have been deadly for all of us. Baboons quickly learn that tourists are a source of sustenance. Bamboozled has a nice alliteration sound with fun B sounds. Bamboozled like a baboon. Better than being bamboozled by a baboon.

Another word with a similar meaning but not as odd is hoodwinked. Hoodwink has been in use since the mid-1500s. Today, winking involves the closing of only one eye. But back in the old days, winking involved closing both eyes. When a highwayman set upon a victim, he put a hood over the victim’s head to “close the eyes.” Consequently, it was said that the bad guy hoodwinked his victim. The meaning evolved to the current meaning of to dupe, bamboozle, or hornswoggle.

I don’t know why hornswoggled emerged from the depths of my psyche. I haven’t been feeling hornswoggled or bamboozled or even hoodwinked. After reading my writing, I hope you don’t feel hornswoggled, bamboozled or hookwinked. Admit, you like saying those words, too!