alakazam

interjection

ala·​ka·​zam

variants or less commonly alacazam

ˌa-lə-kə-ˈzam 

ˌä-

—used as an invocation of magical power or to indicate an instantaneous transformation or appearance that occurs by or as if by magic

He is unlikely to be judged kindly by subway and bus riders if they do not see—alakazam !—quick improvement in fraying service.

—Clyde Haberman, New York Times, 30 Oct. 2009

Word History

Etymology

earlier alagazam, a nonsense word (of obscure origin)

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

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