MAGIC WORDS Money (see also fortune, gold and treasure) Mystique: "Money -- money -- what a magic is in the word. It is the talisman . . . which more than all gives a man to himself, gives him leisure & independence, the means of cultivating his mind, of improving his nature." Meaning: • Unit of magical energy "Few understand that the dollar is a unit of magical energy, and the dollar bill itself a magical talisman. Although many words have been written by conspiracy theorists analyzing the Masonic symbols on the one dollar bill, no one has yet been able to sufficiently explain why these symbols are there, or what they really mean." -- Tracy R. Twyman, Solomon's Treasure: The Magic and Mystery of American Money (2005) Facts: Professional magician Jeff McBride calls money "the greatest illusion ever created." 4 In Literature: • "I used the magic word. Money." -- Joseph A. Haymes, Desperate Summer (2000). • "Antonette had used Nick's magic word -- money." -- Kieran Crowley, Burned Alive (1999) • "'Money?' Pett, the student, became Pett, the financier, at the magic word." -- P.G. Wodehouse, Piccadilly Jim (1918) Monosodiumglutamate Facts: Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is the name of a flavor enhancer. In Literature: • "'There now, they enter the cage. Now the glorious Angelina will lock the ferocious porcuswine to the floor with heavy locks and chains. They are now in place. . . . Now, the magic word, Monosodiumglutamate!' The canopy dropped down, rose an instant later and they were gone. The audience roared with appreciation when they saw that the cage was empty." -- Har ry Harrison, The Stainless Steel Rat Joins the Circus (2000) Sidney Fisher, quoted in Them Dark Days by William Dusinberre (1996) 4 The Magic of Jeff McBride DVD (200 ).