Quackery: meaning, definitions and examples
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quackery
[ ˈkwækəri ]
fraudulent practices
Quackery refers to the dishonest practice of claiming to have knowledge or skill in a particular area, especially in medicine or health, without the capability to back it up. Quack practitioners often sell fake remedies or services that promise miraculous results but are scientifically unproven. This term is often associated with individuals who exploit the vulnerabilities of those seeking medical help. Quackery undermines legitimate medical practices and can lead to harmful consequences for individuals who believe in the false claims.
Synonyms
charlatanism, deception, fraudulence, pseudoscience
Examples of usage
- The rise of quackery in health supplements is alarming.
- Many have fallen victim to the quackery of fake healers.
- Quackery can have devastating effects on public health.
- Education is key to combating quackery in medicine.
Translations
Translations of the word "quackery" in other languages:
🇵🇹 charlatanismo
🇮🇳 धोखाधड़ी
🇩🇪 Schwindel
🇮🇩 tipu muslihat
🇺🇦 шарлатанство
🇵🇱 szarlataneria
🇯🇵 詐欺
🇫🇷 charlatanisme
🇪🇸 charlatanería
🇹🇷 sahtakarlık
🇰🇷 사기
🇸🇦 احتيال
🇨🇿 šarlatánství
🇸🇰 šarlatánstvo
🇨🇳 江湖医生
🇸🇮 šarlatanstvo
🇮🇸 svindl
🇰🇿 алаяқтық
🇬🇪 შარლატანობა
🇦🇿 şarlatanlıq
🇲🇽 charlatanería
Etymology
The term 'quackery' is derived from the word 'quack', which historically referred to a person who pretends to have medical skills or knowledge without proper training or certifications. The word 'quack' itself can be traced back to the late 16th century from the Dutch word 'quacksalver', which means 'peddler of salves'. It combines 'quacken', meaning 'to quack' or 'to boast', with 'salve', referring to a healing ointment. Over the centuries, the term evolved to describe fraudulent medical practitioners who mislead patients with false promises. By the 19th century, 'quackery' emerged as a formal term to describe practices that lack scientific validity, particularly in the context of alternative medicine. Today, quackery continues to be a significant concern in public health discussions as the proliferation of misinformation and unregulated products poses risks to individuals seeking genuine medical care.