# shazam

> English word · Interjection · IPA /ʃəˈzæm/ · frequency rank #31,344

## Definitions
1. Used to indicate that a magic trick or other illusion has been performed.

## Etymology
Apparently coined by American comic book writer Bill Parker in February 1940, from the first letters of Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles and Mercury.

## Easily confused with
- **sham** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sham-vs-shazam)
- **Salam** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/salam-vs-shazam)
- **shaka** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shaka-vs-shazam)
- **Shana** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shana-vs-shazam)
- **shaman** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shaman-vs-shazam)
- **shalom** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shalom-vs-shazam)

## Common misspellings (9)
`hsazam`, `sahzam`, `shaazm`, `shazamm`, `shazma`, `shazzam`, `shhazam`, `shzaam`, `sshazam`

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