Difference between revisions of "Charlatan"
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==Origin== | ==Origin== | ||
| − | Italian ''ciarlatano'', alteration of ''cerretano'', [[literally]], inhabitant of [ | + | Italian ''ciarlatano'', alteration of ''cerretano'', [[literally]], inhabitant of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerreto_di_Spoleto Cerreto, Italy] |
| − | *[ | + | *[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/17th_century 1618] |
==Definitions== | ==Definitions== | ||
| − | *1: [ | + | *1: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quackery quack] |
*2: one making usually showy pretenses to [[knowledge]] or [[ability]] : [[fraud]], faker | *2: one making usually showy pretenses to [[knowledge]] or [[ability]] : [[fraud]], faker | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | A '''charlatan''' (also called ''swindler'' or ''mountebank'') is a [[person]] practicing [ | + | A '''charlatan''' (also called ''swindler'' or ''mountebank'') is a [[person]] practicing [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quackery quackery] or some similar [[confidence]] trick in order to obtain [[money]], [[fame]] or other [[advantages]] via some form of pretense or [[deception]]. |
| − | The [[word]] comes from French ''charlatan'', a seller of [[medicines]] who might advertise his [[presence]] with [[music]] and an outdoor [[stage]] show. The best known of the Parisian charlatans was [ | + | The [[word]] comes from French ''charlatan'', a seller of [[medicines]] who might advertise his [[presence]] with [[music]] and an outdoor [[stage]] show. The best known of the Parisian charlatans was [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabarin Tabarin], who set up a [[stage]] in the Place Dauphin, Paris in 1618, and whose [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commedia_dell%27arte ''commedia dell'arte''] [[inspired]] skits and whose farces inspired [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moli%C3%A8re Molière]. The word can also be traced to Spanish; ''charlatán'', an indiscreetly talkative person, a chatterbox. Ultimately, etymologists trace "charlatan" from either the Italian ''ciarlare'', to prattle; or from ''Cerretano'', a resident of Cerreto, a village in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umbria Umbria], known for its quacks. |
| − | In usage, a [[subtle]] [[difference]] is drawn between the charlatan and other kinds of [[confidence]] people. The charlatan is usually a [ | + | In usage, a [[subtle]] [[difference]] is drawn between the charlatan and other kinds of [[confidence]] people. The charlatan is usually a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sales salesperson]. He does not try to create a [[personal]] [[relationship]] with his marks, or set up an elaborate [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoax hoax] using roleplaying. Rather, the person called a charlatan is being accused of resorting to quackery, [[pseudoscience]], or some knowingly employed bogus means of [[impressing]] people in order to swindle his [[victims]] by selling them worthless nostrums and similar [[goods]] or [[services]] that will not deliver on the [[promises]] made for them. The [[word]] calls forth the image of an old-time [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicine_show medicine show operator], who has long since left town by the time the people who bought his "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snake_oil snake oil]" or similarly named tonic realize that it does not perform as advertised. |
| − | In reported [[spiritual]] [[communications]], a charlatan is a [[person]] who fakes [[evidence]] that a spirit is "making [[contact]]" with the [[medium]] and [[seekers]]. This has been challenged successfully by skeptics who wrote passwords and gave them to people of [[trust]], containing a password that should be spoken by the person if he ever tried to make contact, to [[validate]] the [[truth]] of the claim. No such claim has been verified. Notable people who have successfully debunked the claims of purported [[supernatural]] mediums include Brazilian writer [ | + | In reported [[spiritual]] [[communications]], a charlatan is a [[person]] who fakes [[evidence]] that a spirit is "making [[contact]]" with the [[medium]] and [[seekers]]. This has been challenged successfully by skeptics who wrote passwords and gave them to people of [[trust]], containing a password that should be spoken by the person if he ever tried to make contact, to [[validate]] the [[truth]] of the claim. No such claim has been verified. Notable people who have successfully debunked the claims of purported [[supernatural]] mediums include Brazilian writer [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monteiro_Lobato Monteiro Lobato] and magician [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houdini Houdini]. |
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*'''''[[Fraud]]''''' | *'''''[[Fraud]]''''' | ||
[[Category: General Reference]] | [[Category: General Reference]] | ||
Latest revision as of 23:45, 12 December 2020
Origin
Italian ciarlatano, alteration of cerretano, literally, inhabitant of Cerreto, Italy
Definitions
Description
A charlatan (also called swindler or mountebank) is a person practicing quackery or some similar confidence trick in order to obtain money, fame or other advantages via some form of pretense or deception.
The word comes from French charlatan, a seller of medicines who might advertise his presence with music and an outdoor stage show. The best known of the Parisian charlatans was Tabarin, who set up a stage in the Place Dauphin, Paris in 1618, and whose commedia dell'arte inspired skits and whose farces inspired Molière. The word can also be traced to Spanish; charlatán, an indiscreetly talkative person, a chatterbox. Ultimately, etymologists trace "charlatan" from either the Italian ciarlare, to prattle; or from Cerretano, a resident of Cerreto, a village in Umbria, known for its quacks.
In usage, a subtle difference is drawn between the charlatan and other kinds of confidence people. The charlatan is usually a salesperson. He does not try to create a personal relationship with his marks, or set up an elaborate hoax using roleplaying. Rather, the person called a charlatan is being accused of resorting to quackery, pseudoscience, or some knowingly employed bogus means of impressing people in order to swindle his victims by selling them worthless nostrums and similar goods or services that will not deliver on the promises made for them. The word calls forth the image of an old-time medicine show operator, who has long since left town by the time the people who bought his "snake oil" or similarly named tonic realize that it does not perform as advertised.
In reported spiritual communications, a charlatan is a person who fakes evidence that a spirit is "making contact" with the medium and seekers. This has been challenged successfully by skeptics who wrote passwords and gave them to people of trust, containing a password that should be spoken by the person if he ever tried to make contact, to validate the truth of the claim. No such claim has been verified. Notable people who have successfully debunked the claims of purported supernatural mediums include Brazilian writer Monteiro Lobato and magician Houdini.
