flimflam
UK: /ˈflɪmflæm/ | US: /ˈflɪmflæm/
n. 1. Nonsensical or deceptive talk; humbug.
n. 2. A petty swindle or fraud.
vt. To deceive or trick someone with nonsense or falsehoods.
"Flimflam" is a reduplicative compound, where the nonsensical repetition of "flim" and "flam" emphasizes absurdity or deceit. Reduplication is common in English for playful or mocking effect (e.g., "hocus-pocus," "wishy-washy"). The word likely emerged in the 16th century as slang for trivial deception, possibly mimicking the sound of empty chatter. Both morphemes lack independent meaning outside the combined form, reinforcing the idea of meaningless or fraudulent speech.
The salesman's flimflam convinced no one.
Don’t fall for his flimflam—it’s just a scam.
The politician dismissed the accusations as pure flimflam.
She saw through the flimflam and demanded evidence.
His stories were entertaining but clearly flimflam.