# hokum

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈhəʊkəm/ · frequency rank #91,610

## Definitions
1. (An instance of) meaningless nonsense with an outward appearance of being impressive and legitimate.
2. (An instance of) excessively contrived, hackneyed, or sentimental material in a film, television programme, theater production, etc.
3. A film, television programme, theater production, etc., containing excessively contrived, hackneyed, or sentimental material.
4. A genre of blues song or music, often characterized by sexual innuendos or satire.

## Etymology
Uncertain; first attested as US theater slang, possibly a blend of hocus-pocus + bunkum.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/hokum