Abracadabra!

It's a mystical phrase, a magical incantation beloved of conjurers and illusionists the world over, but what is its true origin? Nobody actually knows. There are theories, claims and counter-claims, but nothing definitive. Let's look at a few possibilities.

There was a suggestion that it might derive from Aramaic (a Semitic language that originated in Syria and quickly spread to Mesopotamia, Levant, Sinai, Anatolia, the Caucasus, and Eastern Arabia), meaning "I create like the word" (אברא כדברא).However, that is refuted by Aramaic linguist Steve Caruso.

Claims have been made for it stemming from Greek, where ΑΒΓΔ (alpha-beta-gamma-delta) are the first four letters, or from Greek language Gnostic Christian bible texts, where Abraxas (Ἀβράξας) is a term for the great creator of the universe. There might be something in that.

Then there is the theory that it might stem from the Latin word abecadarius (itself derived from Greek), essentially meaning “alphabetical order,” in which case it might once have implied putting everything magically back in its correct place. Ingenious but contrived?

However, I think the likeliest source, based on sound alone, is Hebrew. Historian Don Skemer suggests that it might originate from the Hebrew phrase "ha brachah dabarah" (name of the blessed). I'll go with that, but feel free to take your pick.

What is certain is that it was an incantation with supposed magical properties. The first accredited appearance of the word  abracadabra is in the writings of the second century AD Roman physician Serenus Sammonicus in his book 'Liber Medicinalis ', where it appears in connection with treatments for fever (most likely malaria). He prescribed the wearing of an amulet with the word written as an inverted triangle (see below), to ward off the sickness - and by extension, many other afflictions, palsies and plagues.

Quite how abracadabra came to be used by magicians is as shrouded in mystery as the origins of the word itself. They appear to have adopted it by the early 19th century, as an aid to their art, invoking abracadabra to magically assist them in their tricks, in much the same way that a feverous patient would once have called on it to assist them in their recovery.

For evidence, I cite a play by W. T. Moncrieff that was being staged at London's Olympic New Theatre in 1819. In act two, scene three of 'Rochester; or, King Charles the Second's Merry Days ' we find the following: 

"Well then, if you won’t tell our fortunes for us, suppose we tell you yours, our art is very potent - we've studied under Zoroaster and Agrippa! Hey presto pass! Abracadabra!—By the lines of your face, I can perceive... [etc.]"

Used by conjurors and magicians as an exclamation imparting supposed magical power, as when performing a trick, it has come more generally since to be used as an exclamation accompanying any seemingly remarkable feat or occurrence. So there you have it. 

And finally, I'm sure you're expecting a magic new poem. So.... "Abracadabra!" I create like the word...😉

Disillusionist

Wonder while you can.

Once you know it's sleight of hand

Innocence is damned.

Thanks for reading, Steve :-)