hokey

English edit

Alternative forms edit

hokie, hoaky, hoky

Etymology edit

From the verb hoke (“to give an artificial feel to”), from hokum.

Pronunciation edit

IPA^(key): /ˈhəʊki/
(US) IPA: /ˈhoʊki/
^help
Rhymes: -əʊki

Adjective edit

hokey (comparative hokier, superlative hokiest)

(US, colloquial) Phony, as if a hoax; noticeably contrived; of obviously flimsy credibility or quality.
When asked for his book report, Chad came up with a series of hokier and hokier excuses.

I thought the windshield wiper blades were a little hokey when I saw their cheap packaging.
(US, colloquial) Corny; overly or unbelievably sentimental.
Synonyms: cheesy, kitschy

Terry hated going to the cinema with Pat, she always chose hokey romantic comedies that made him want to gag.
- 2018, Ling Ma, chapter 4, in Severance, →ISBN:
  After the chant, we bowed our heads and closed our eyes, as Bob administered the recitation, part prayer and part affirmation—an ever-changing hokey thing that he improvised on the spot.

Related terms edit

Translations edit

phony, obviously of flimsy credibility

Dutch: nep (nl), flauw (nl), zwak (nl), slap (nl)
French: bidon (fr)
German: unecht (de), falsch (de), künstlich (de), verlogen (de)

corny, overly sentimental

Dutch: melig (nl)
French: mélo (fr)
German: schmalzig, kitschig (de), rührselig (de)
Spanish: cursi (es)

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

Translations to be checked

French: ^{(please verify)} bidon (fr), ^{(please verify)} cucul la praline (fr)