Diablerie

/diˌɑːbləˈri/ noun

Definition

Mischievous or devilish behavior; trickery, magic tricks, or entertainment involving devilish themes or illusions.

Etymology

From French diablerie (devilry), from diable (devil) + -erie (state or quality). First used in English in the 17th century from theatrical and carnival contexts.

Kelly Says

Diablerie captures a whole genre of European street entertainment—demon-costumed performers doing acrobatics and tricks—that almost completely vanished from popular culture but left a footprint in English dictionaries.

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