ackamarackus

ackamarackus

English

Etymology

Pseudo-Latin, possibly coined by Damon Runyan.

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ækəs

Noun

ackamarackus (uncountable)

1. (informal) Meaningless activity engaged in just for show; deceptive nonsense.
   • 1947, Emanuel W. Robson & Mary Major Robson, The world is my cinema, page 109:

     This story of coal miners (John Wayne and Randolph Scott) who become coal-owners and rivals for the affections of La Dietrich is the purest and oldest ackamarackus.

   • 2012, Thomas D. Bryson, The Psychotic Preschoolers, →ISBN, page 81:

     His beady noggin had visions of floggens as he zeroed in on the new ackamarackus.

   • 2014, Paul Christopher Johnson, Spirited Things, →ISBN, page 136:

     Does the radio priest want to make a killing and leave town before his ministrations are revealed as ackamarackus?

Usage notes

Typically used in the phrase "the old ackamarackus".