huckster

Part of Speech

Noun, Verb

Pronunciation

/ˈhʌk.stɚ/

Definitions

• (Noun) A person who sells small items, often in a pushy or aggressive manner.
• (Noun) A promoter of advertisements or propaganda.
• (Verb) To sell or promote something, often in a loud or overbearing way.

Usage Examples

• The huckster on the street corner was selling cheap watches to tourists.
• Political hucksters often manipulate facts to suit their agenda.
• He huckstered his book relentlessly at every opportunity.

Etymology

Derived from Middle Dutch "hokester," meaning a peddler or seller of small goods.

Synonyms

Peddler, hawker, vendor, salesman, promoter

Antonyms

Consumer, buyer, customer, patron

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

In British English, it may be pronounced as /ˈhʌk.stə/ with a softer final syllable.

Historical Usage

Originally used to describe small-scale street vendors, the term later took on a negative connotation when applied to aggressive sales tactics.

Cultural Nuances

The word "huckster" is often used pejoratively in modern English to describe someone engaging in dishonest or overly aggressive selling.

More Information

While "huckster" was once a neutral term for street vendors, it is now more commonly used in a negative sense, often implying deception or unethical business practices.