Sleight

/slaɪt/ noun

Definition

Skillful and clever deception, particularly manual dexterity used in magic tricks or a cunning trick.

Etymology

From Old Norse 'sloegð' (ability, cunning), related to 'slog' (clever). It originally meant skill or cleverness before narrowing to mean deceptive skill, as in 'sleight of hand.'

Kelly Says

The phrase 'sleight of hand' doesn't mean hands are sleight—'sleight' is the noun describing the clever trick itself, which comes from Old Norse and shares its root with words meaning clever and cunning!

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