# Hocus Pocus - not-all-faux Latin

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hocus-pocus-not-all-faux-latin/195497>\
**Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\
**Created:** [August 16, 2003, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hocus-pocus-not-all-faux-latin/195497 "2003-08-16T00:11:17Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ChampagneSheik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@ChampagneSheik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChampagneSheik)\
**Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hocus-pocus-not-all-faux-latin/195497/1 "2003-08-16T00:11:17Z")

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I was trying to get this message to Cecil himself, but could not figure out how. So, to anyone who knows how, please make sure he sees this message:  
In your response to the meanings of hocus pocus, abracadabra, and presto, you wrongly accused a supposedly “gibberish” Latin phrase as being fake. You were mostly right, save for the last two words. “Celeriter” is Latin for “quickly” or “swiftly” and “iubeo” (there was no ‘j’ in Latin) means “I order/command”.

Just thought you should know…🆒

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**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\
**Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hocus-pocus-not-all-faux-latin/195497/2 "2003-08-16T02:50:54Z")

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Welcome to the Straight Dope Message Boards, **Champagne** , glad to have you with us.

When you start a thread relating to one of Cecil’s columns, it’s helpful to other readers if you provide a link to the column. Helps keep everyone on the same pages, avoids duplication of effort, etc. No biggie, you’ll know for next time.

In this case, the column is [What’s the origin of “abracadabra,” “hocus-pocus,” and “presto”?](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a990326.html)