Reference > Brewer’s Dictionary > Ho’cus Po’cus.

 Hockley-i’-the-Hole.Ho’cussed. 
CONTENTS · BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD
E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
 
Ho’cus Po’cus.
 
The words uttered by a conjuror when he performs a trick, to cheat or take surreptitiously. The Welsh, hocea pwca (a goblin’s trick, our hoax) is a probable etymology. But generally supposed to be Hoc est oorpus.   1
   Ochus Bochus was the name of a famous magician of the North invoked by jugglers. He is mentioned in the French Royal Dictionary.   2
 


 Hockley-i’-the-Hole.Ho’cussed. 

 
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