The Genii Forum

This question was recently on University Challenge, the UK equivalent of College Bowl

What seven-letter word is this?
Originally an American slang term for a dishonest means of regulating a gambling game, it can also mean an item used in a conjuring trick, a professional wrestler's in-ring persona and a showy device used to attract attention or publicity.

(I'm not sure I agree that the clue matches the answer they gave. . .)

Answer: GIMMICK (select the answer with your cursor to read it)

Bill Mullins wrote:This question was recently on University Challenge, the UK equivalent of College Bowl

What seven-letter word is this?
Originally an American slang term for a dishonest means of regulating a gambling game, it can also mean an item used in a conjuring trick, a professional wrestler's in-ring persona and a showy device used to attract attention or publicity.

(I'm not sure I agree that the clue matches the answer they gave. . .)

Answer: GIMMICK (select the answer with your cursor to read it)

No it doesn't match, I am surprised!, University Challenge is held in high regard in England.

Perhaps Max Maven can fill us in on the wrestling reference but the other clues seem to add up

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/gimmick?s=t

Maybe University Challenge reads Wikipedia?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gimmick_(professional_wrestling)

Now, now, I won’t have any aspersions cast against one of my favourite shows.

They have a crack team of question compilers.

Andrew

erdnasephile wrote:Maybe University Challenge reads Wikipedia?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gimmick_(professional_wrestling)

Yes, that's it for sure. In fact, they beautifully coalesced the magic gimmick and wrestling gimmick references with a photo of the Wrestling Masked Magician [/i]that accompanies the Wikipedia article. (To see the photo, click on link provided by Erdnasephile)

The definition looks fine to me. An example (one of many) of "gimmick" in a wrestling context:

https://www.thesportster.com/wrestling/ ... icks-ever/

The clue is valid, but likely out of chronological order.

Probable sequence: conjuring > carnival game rigging > gambling and wrestling > general use

By the way, if anyone is interested in the history of pro wrestling as a branch of show business - indeed, perhaps an "allied art" insofar as it involves surviving and/or escaping from potentially dangerous situations - Whatever Happened to Gorgeous George by Joe Jares (Prentice-Hall, 1974) is worth a read.