User:Fyslee/Quackery definitions throughout history

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Quackery is a derogatory term used to describe questionable medical practices. According to Random House Dictionary, a "quack" is considered a "fraudulent or ignorant pretender to medical skill" or "a person who pretends, professionally or publicly, to have skill, knowledge, or qualifications he or she does not possess; a charlatan."[1]

The word "quack" may derive from "quacksalver," an archaic word originally of Dutch origin (spelled kwakzalver in contemporary Dutch), meaning "boaster who applies a salve."[2] There is also a strong resemblance to the German word "quacksalber" which means "questionable salesperson (literal translation: quack salver)." In the Middle Ages the word quack itself meant "shouting. The quacksalvers sold their wares on the market shouting in a loud voice."[3] (Now used below)

[edit] Dictionary definitions

The word "quack" may derive from "quacksalver," an archaic word originally of Dutch origin (spelled kwakzalver in contemporary Dutch), meaning "boaster who applies a salve."[4]

[edit] Language translations

There is also a strong resemblance to the German word "quacksalber" which means "questionable salesperson (literal translation: quack salver)." In the Middle Ages the word quack itself meant "shouting. The quacksalvers sold their wares on the market shouting in a loud voice."[5]


[edit] Modern usage

[edit] Medical literature

[edit] News media

[edit] In alternative medicine: anti-vaccination and anti-mercury activists

[edit] Anti-quackery activists

[edit] Examples of deliberately deceptive propaganda from websites

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes and references

  1. ^ "quack." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 07 February 2007. Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/quack
  2. ^ quacksalver- American Heritage Dictionary
  3. ^ German-English Glossary of Idioms
  4. ^ quacksalver- American Heritage Dictionary
  5. ^ German-English Glossary of Idioms

[edit] External links