MAGIC WORDS As writing became more popularized, it lost a lot of its mystery, and therefore its magic, though some poets and a very few novelists can still evoke it. But where there is mystery, there is still magic. The less well known a language is, the more magical power it is thought to have. Imagine a powerful magician with a pointy little beard wearing a black cloak with red lining. He raises his arms, lightning flashes from his fingers, and he says in a commanding voice, 'Do what I want!' Not too exciting. But if he says 'Alakazam!' Wow, impressive!"1 1 Alakazam reminds us that life itself is a great mystery, and the word expresses a reverence that is already in our hearts.1 2 Alakazam reveals the extraordinary in the ordinary. Simply put, alakazam makes magic. Meanings: • Conjure, create, as through an act of magic "[I]f necessary he will conjure something from nothing -- a hare from a hat, wine out of water -- whatever -- life out of death (that would be nice) . . . if it comes to it he will alakazam a miracle." -- Bruce Olds, Raising Holy Hell (1995) • Disappear, vanish "These humbugs were going to alakazam outa here along with your price less scroll!" -- Reneau H. Reneau, Misanthropology: A Florilegium of Bahumbuggery (200 ) • Euphemism for God, oath "In the name of Allahkazam . . ." -- GameReviews.net (2005) • Lucky stars "They should thank their allah-kazam . . ." -- LittleGreenFootballs.com (2002) • Magic "[A]lakazam, your wound is mended." -- James Morrow, Only Begotten Daughter (1996) • Magician "Based on the fourth book in J.K. Rowling's well thumbed series, players will take the role of adolescent alakazam artist Potter as he competes in an international hocus-pocus competition called the Triwizard Tournament." -- "New Harry Potter Revealed," GamesRadar.com (2005) • Magic word "Was there a magic word, something like alakazam? Yeah." -- Stephen King, Dreamcatcher (2001) "[M]uch more powerful than 'voila' or 'alakazam' in opening the vaults of love and true friendship . . ." -- Eric Aronson, Dash (2004) 1 1 Serge Kahili King, Instant Healing (2004) 1 2 This statement is inspired by Sam Mackintosh, "Mystery and Reverence in Family Ritual" (2001)