Magic Words
This might also refer to the article Wikimedia Meta Help: Magic WordsMagic words are words which have a specific, and sometimes unintended, effect. They are often nonsense phrases used in fantasy fiction or by stage prestidigitators. Certain comic book heroes use magic words to activate their super powers. Magic words are also used as Easter eggs or cheats in computer games, other software, and operating systems. (For example, the words xyzzy, plugh, and plover were magic words in the classic computer adventure game Colossal Cave Adventure. )
Software such as MediaWiki use magic words to make system information available to templates and editors, such as {{CURRENTTIME}}, which displays the server time: 02:19, see Help:Magic words.
Examples of traditional magic words include:
Abracadabra - prototypical magic word used by magiciansAlakazamHocus pocus - a phrase used by magicians (it can also refer to magic itself)Open sesame - used by the character Ali Baba in the English version of a tale from the collection popularly known as 1001 Arabian NightsPresto chango - used by magicians (probably intended to suggest "quick change")Shazam - used by the comic book hero Captain MarvelNote that the television game show You Bet Your Life, hosted by Groucho Marx in the 1950s, used the term secret word, not magic word. Porter.