gimmick, n. meanings, etymology and more (2025)

Summary

Of unknown origin.

Origin unknown, but see quot. 1936 at main sense.

1. 1926–

   A gadget; spec. a contrivance for dishonestly regulating a gambling game, or an article used in a conjuring trick; now usually a tricky or ingenious device, gadget, idea, etc., esp. one adopted for the purpose of attracting attention or publicity.

   1. 1926

      Gimmick, device used for making a fair game crooked.

      G. H. Maines & B. Grant, Wise-crack Dictionary 8/2

   2. 1926

      Every snipe endeavors to impress the poor swabbos with his talk of gillguys, gadgetts, and gimmicks.

      American Speech vol. 2 62/1

   3. [1936

      The word gimac means ‘a gadget’. It is an anagram of the word magic, and is used by magicians the same way as others use the word ‘thing-a-ma-bob’.

      Words November 12/2]

   4. 1948

      The wisecrack and the gag, the leg pull and the hotfoot, the gimmick and the switcheroo.

      J. Thurber, Beast in Me (1949) 77

   5. 1951

      Washington has suspected that a political ‘gimmick’ might be wrapped up in the Malik offer.

      Manchester Guardian Weekly 5 July 3/1

   6. 1952

      The perfect college they hinted at might exist on paper but it would never attract students, for it would have no selling-point, no gimmick, as they said in advertising.

      M. McCarthy, Groves of Academe (1953) iv. 70

   7. 1954

      Completely new ‘gimmicks’, such as the aerosol can, which is packed under pressure and blows its contents out as required, have opened up new fields for the tin-plate container.

      Economist 21 August 602/1

   8. 1957

      Diamond..is unalarmed by Tory élan. His publicity gimmick, a small red diamond, is to be seen all over the city, sometimes stuck up in very curious places.

      Observer 8 September 9/5

   9. 1958

      Many comedians have their gimmicks, either as catch-phrase, theme-song, or bit of ‘business’, which they exploit in most of their appearances.

      I. J. C. Brown, Words in our Time 58

   10. 1959

       This was his new gimmick, his new device for making himself seem absolutely harmless.

       ‘P. Quentin’, Shadow of Guilt xvii. 163

   11. 1960

       There are..all sorts of marvellous gimmicks. I remember, for instance when I was a child, there were objects called ‘nonnons’ that were popular.

       V. Nabokov, Invitation to Beheading xii. 122

   12. 1969

       There is a growing tendency to use sport as a publicity gimmick for business.

       Daily Telegraph 1 March 16/3

   13. 1970

       It's a market that..boomed briefly in the mid-sixties with gimmicks like paper dresses.

       New Society 5 March 385/2

   conjuringgamblingU.S. Englishcolloquial and slang

   the mind attention and judgement attention attracting attention [nouns] subject of interest designed to attract

   1. attraction1607–

      Something that attracts living beings by influencing their behaviour, as by appealing to people's desires, tastes, etc.; esp. a place or…

   2. attractive1615–

      A thing or circumstance that attracts people's attention or interest, or draws people to see it; something that attracts living beings by…

   3. stunt1878–

      Any act, deed, statement, etc., which is intended to attract attention or publicity, to boost one's reputation, etc.; something done for effect…

   4. clou1883–

      That which holds the attention; the chief attraction, point of greatest interest, or central idea.

   5. gimmick1926–

      A gadget; spec. a contrivance for dishonestly regulating a gambling game, or an article used in a conjuring trick; now usually a tricky or ingenious…

   6. stopper1968–

      Something that causes to cease or brings to a stand. Something which attracts and holds attention; something striking or impressive. colloquial. Cf…

   View in Historical Thesaurus

   the world action or operation advantage usefulness use (made of things) instrumentality [nouns] (a) means equipment for any action or undertaking a device or contrivance gadget

   1. jigger1874–

      The name of numerous mechanical contrivances or devices, used in many trades and operations. Among… (a) A cooper's drawing-knife with a hollowing…

   2. gadget1885–

      Used as an indefinite name for: a (small) mechanical or electronic device, esp. one regarded as ingenious or novel; an ingenious or practical…

   3. timenoguy1886–

      Originally: any of various lengths of rope stretched taut between different parts of a ship to prevent tangling or fouling, as to deflect rigging…

   4. toy1895–

      An object, esp. a gadget or vehicle, regarded as providing amusement for an adult (typically a man). Often disparaging.

   5. widget1924–

      Used as an indefinite term for a small gadget or mechanical contrivance.

   6. gimmick1926–

      A gadget; spec. a contrivance for dishonestly regulating a gambling game, or an article used in a conjuring trick; now usually a tricky or ingenious…

   7. boondoggle1935–

      See quots.

   8. gizmo1943–

      A gadget, gimmick, ‘thingumajig’ (see quots.).

   View in Historical Thesaurus

1. gimmick, v. 1952–

   (transitive) to provide with a gimmick; to alter…

1. gimmickry, n. 1952–

   The use of gimmicks; gimmicks collectively; an…

1. gimmicky, adj. 1957–

   Employing or characterized by gimmicks; designed…

1. gimmicked, adj. 1959–

1. gimmickless, adj. 1962–

   Devoid of or free from a gimmick or gimmicks.