A clever or sneaky action meant to amuse or deceive someone; also a special skill or method for doing something.
From Old French *trique* “deceit, cheat,” probably from a Germanic root related to “play” or “game.” It has long carried both playful and dishonest meanings.
Magic tricks and dirty tricks share the same word because both play with expectations—one for fun, the other for advantage. When people say, “Here’s a trick to remember this,” they’re borrowing that playful shortcut idea for learning.
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