The unmeaning word „abracadabra“

John Melton, in his "Astrologaster" (1620), says it is vulgarly believed that "toothaches, agues, cramps, and fevers, and many other diseases may be healed by mumbling a few strange words over the head of the diseased."

Written charms in prose or verse-or neither, being nonsensical combinations of words, letters, or signs-were in great favor then, as before and since.

The unmeaning word „abracadabra“ was much used in incantations, and worn as an amulet was supposed to cure or prevent certain ailments.

It was necessary to write it in the following form, if one would secure its full potency:

A B R A C A D A B R A

A B R A C A D A B R

A B R A C A D A B

A B R A C A D A

A B R A C A D

A B R A C A

A B R A C

A B R A

A B R

A B

A

A manuscript in the British Museum contains this note: "Mr. Banester saith that he healed 200 in one year of an ague by hanging „abracadabra“ about their necks."

Thomas Lodge, in his „Incarnate Divels“ (1596) refers to written charms thus: "Bring him but a table [tablet] of lead, with crosses (and 'Adonai' or 'Elohim' written in it), he thinks it will heal the ague."

W. J. (William James) Rolfe,Shakespeare the Boy, Chatto & Windus, London, 1897.

Photo: pngwing

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