The History Of Abracadabra & Harry Potter Etymology Note

Abracadabra:  One of the few words entirely without meaning, this confusing term is still used in a joking way by those making "magic." It was first mentioned in a poem by Quintus Severus* Sammonicus in the second century. A cabalistic word intended to suggest infinity; abracadabra was believed to be a charm with the power to cure toothaches, fevers, and other ills, especially if written on parchment in a triangular arrangement and suspended from the neck by a linen thread. Abracadabra is of unknown origin, though tradition says it is composed of the initials of the Hebrew words Ab (Father), Ben (Son), and Ruach Acadsch (Holy Spirit). When toothache strikes, inscribe the parchment amulet in the following triangular form:

ABRACADABRA

ABRACADABR

ABRACADAB

ABRACADA

ABRACAD

ABRACA

ABRAC

ABRA

ABR

AB

A

 

*Harry Potter fans might enjoy taking note that Severus means "stern" in Latin, and is the root of the English word "severe."