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Charlatanism: meaning, definitions and examples

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charlatanism

 

[ ˈʃɑːrləˌtænɪzəm ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

deceptive practice

Charlatanism refers to the fraudulent practice of pretending to have knowledge or skills that one does not possess. It often involves deception for personal gain, typically in fields such as medicine, commerce, or education. This term is typically used to describe behaviors that manipulate or mislead individuals for profit or advantage.

Synonyms

deceit, fraudulence, imposture, quackery.

Examples of usage

  • The charlatanism displayed by the fake doctor led to severe consequences for his patients.
  • In politics, charlatanism can undermine public trust in genuine leaders.
  • Beware of charlatanism in advertising that promises miraculous results.
  • His charlatanism was exposed when he failed to deliver on his extravagant claims.

Translations

Translations of the word "charlatanism" in other languages:

🇵🇹 charlatanismo

🇮🇳 धोखाधड़ी

🇩🇪 Scharlatanerie

🇮🇩 penipuan

🇺🇦 шарлатанство

🇵🇱 szarlatanizm

🇯🇵 シャルラタニズム

🇫🇷 charlatanisme

🇪🇸 charlatanismo

🇹🇷 şarlatanlık

🇰🇷 사기꾼

🇸🇦 احتيال

🇨🇿 šarlatánství

🇸🇰 šarlatánstvo

🇨🇳 江湖骗子

🇸🇮 šarlatanizem

🇮🇸 svindl

🇰🇿 алаяқтық

🇬🇪 შარლატანიზმი

🇦🇿 şarlatanlıq

🇲🇽 charlatanismo

Etymology

The term 'charlatan' originates from the Italian word 'ciarlatano,' which means 'a chatterer' or 'a babbler.' It was used in the 16th century to describe quacks and impostors who would attract attention through exaggerated claims and fraudulent practices. The usage of 'charlatanism' as a derivative emphasizes the act of engaging in such deceitful behavior. Over time, the term has evolved and is often associated with various professions, including medicine and pseudoscience, where individuals claim expertise without proper credentials or knowledge, highlighting the extensive historical issue of fraud within society.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,759, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.