Gulled Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

Psychology

• Research shows that people are more likely to be gulled when they are tired or distracted, as their critical thinking skills diminish.
• Cognitive biases, like the confirmation bias, can lead individuals to ignore conflicting information, making them more susceptible to deception.
• The word 'gullible' stems from the same root. It describes individuals who often fall prey to tricks and scams.

Pop Culture

• In literature, con artists frequently employ tricks to gull their victims, showcasing the complexities of trust and deception.
• Films and TV shows often portray characters being gulled as a comedic device, demonstrating the absurdity of their trust.
• The phrase 'to be gulled' can be found in various popular songs and references, often exemplifying themes of betrayal.

History

• Historical swindlers and con artists have used deception to gull wealthy individuals for centuries, known as ‘con games’.
• In the 18th and 19th centuries, many Americans were gulled by land speculators, leading to scams worth thousands of dollars.
• Literature from the past often explores how people have been gulled by false promises, warning against the dangers of greed.

Literature

• Shakespeare used the notion of being gulled in multiple works, highlighting the folly of trusting the untrustworthy.
• In Mark Twain's 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn', characters demonstrate how easily one can be gulled due to their naivety.
• Many fables and fairy tales, intended for children, often include plots where characters are gulled to teach moral lessons about trust and wisdom.

Main points about word origin

• The term 'gulled' comes from the word 'gull', which originally referred to a type of bird known for its loud cries and association with trickery.
• It has been used since the 16th century, deriving from the Middle English term ‘gullen’, meaning to swallow or devour.
• In nautical terms, sailors used it to describe being hoodwinked, influenced by the gull's behavior of stealing food.

The word 'gull' has its origins in the early 15th century, derived from the Middle English term 'gullen', which meant to deceive or cheat. The etymology traces back further to the Old Norse word 'gulla', meaning to cry out or shout, which reflects the idea of getting someone's attention or misdirecting them before deceiving them. Over time, the usage of 'gull' evolved to specifically imply the act of tricking someone, particularly in a way that exploits their trust. The modern verb form 'gull' became more prominent in the 19th century, especially in English literature, often associated with swindlers and tricksters. This word has retained its meaning in various forms within the English language, encompassing both mild form of deception and more serious fraud.