The art or practice of ventriloquism, or speaking in such a way that the sound seems to come from the stomach or belly rather than the mouth.
From Latin 'gaster' (stomach) and 'loqui' (to speak), combined with '-ism' (a practice or doctrine). The term originated in the 1600s when ventriloquists created illusions.
Ancient societies believed gastriloquists had supernatural powers—some were persecuted as witches because audiences genuinely couldn't figure out where the voice was coming from without microphones and speakers!
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