The Fascinating Origin of the Word “Abracadabra”

Never run out of things to say at the water cooler with TodayIFoundOut! Brand new videos 7 days a week!

More from Today I Found Out:

Who was the Real Mother Goose?

The Language Made Up Entirely of Whistles

In this video:

These days you might hear Abracadabra before some stage magician pulls a rabbit out of his hat, but hundreds of years ago people actually believed that “abracadabra” was a magical spell. The exact origin of the word is up for debate, but perhaps one of the oldest records we have of “Abracadabra” being used is a snippet from a Roman sage named Serenus Sammonicus in the 2nd century AD from his Liber Medicinalis:

Want the text version?

Source/Further reading:

Image Credit (Thank you)

[TodayIFoundOut]

Now that you know the origin of the magical word "abracadabra" check out this video and find out about The Unusual Origin of Scrabble:

[ShotgunLlama]

"Avra Kedavra" in Aramaic would mean "I will create as I say".

[RoganHacharASmith]

"Abrah" = I shall create
"Ke Dibra" = Like spoken
Magick is the art and science of changing the universe according to your own will.

[RafaelRabinovich]

The origin is Aramaic, and makes sense: אברא כדברא, "let it be created as my spoken word". ‫The magician calling for something to appear just because he says so.

[RabbiKolakowski]

Abra אברא means "I create" - kadabra כדברא means "when I speak".

[DazHagen]

its origin comes from aramaic language meaning "i create like the word".. in hebrew it translates into "it came to pass as it was spoken"

[CaptainLongNick]

As a Hebrew speaker it awfully resembles "abra" - i shall create, and "ke dibra' - like spoken. Just like the it is believed that words have godly powers and even the word was created by its features being spoken out.

[rkooyers]

God ripped out one of Adam's ribs and shouted *'Abracadabra!'* and the rib turned into a human. Adam then married his own rib and marriage was defined as a man and his own rib. And then the rib couldn't stop talking so Adam went to his man-cave for some peace and quiet, thus creating the first caveman. That's the truth, I swear!

[adamcunningham]

Expecto translates to "I look out (expect)"" And patronum is likely from Pater, Father

[Babarudra]

Wow, no mention of Crowley or the Golden Dawn's usage?

[jerrycapodilupo]

❤ I use...the lard of a lion... it's much more effective....

[JayTemple]

This is the first time I've heard the word "Abraxas" as anything but the title of a Santana album.

[someoneorother]

I'm so disillusioned! I'd heard that "Abra Cadabra" was the name of a famous stage magician in Victorian times. As the story goes, before stage magicians started wearing suits and top hats, they more commonly tried to present themselves as middle eastern mystics. Abra Cadabra was the stage name of one such magician, and though people have forgotten who he was, his name lives on in all our minds.

That was such a cool story! I'm so disappointed that it's not true!

[chrissywesner]

OMG .... Simon! Is that you? Holy h3ll 😂😂 I love it!

[DanielHsHu]

Incorrect, this word is actually a sentence meaning "I will create what I just described (spoke of)". The words are of Aramaic ancient language but can be understood by any Hebrew native speaker, as Hebrew has deep roots in Aramaic. Bonus fact: Many years ago Aramaic was international trade/law/scholarship language like English is today. The sentence is perfectly matching what a typical magician wants to say to the audience ("I will now perform the trick I just introduced to you")

[ROGER]

No jokus: Hocus Pocus was created by Focus in 1971!

[charlieturk]

I am reminded of Bugs Bunny, and the vampire.

[nadziejanowak]

Abra ka dabra come from polish/slavic language ( polish ''obróć ku dobru'') and means "turn into the good"

[espositogregory]

The Hebrew words for father son and holy spirit?!?! What! No! The Hebrews NEVER ASSOCIATED TRIUNE aspects to the Lord! There is only one God, and none share in their glory.
It comes from the Hebrew which means “As I speak, I create, ”

[DeAthWaGer]

ABACABB > Abracadabra
Amirite? Much more magical spell ;)
"GET OVER HERE!"