gimmick

[gim-ik] /ˈgɪm ɪk/
noun
1.
an ingenious or novel device, scheme, or stratagem, especially one designed to attract attention or increase appeal.
2.
a concealed, usually devious aspect or feature of something, as a plan or deal:
An offer that good must have a gimmick in it somewhere.
3.
a hidden mechanical device by which a magician works a trick or a gambler controls a game of chance.
4.
Electronics Informal. a capacitor formed by intertwining two insulated wires.
verb (used with object)
5.
to equip or embellish with unnecessary features, especially in order to increase salability, acceptance, etc. (often followed by up):
to gimmick up a sports car with chrome and racing stripes.
verb (used without object)
6.
to resort to gimmickry, especially habitually.
Origin
1925-30, Americanism; origin uncertain
Related forms
gimmicker, noun
gimmicky, adjective
ungimmicky, adjective
Synonyms
1. stunt, plan, ruse, ploy; angle.
Examples from the web for gimmick
  • The theme of today's puzzle is great, and the gimmick made me grin.
  • If a film needs this type of technological gimmick to be successful it must be a pretty bad film.
  • He told me how he planned to open a small business when he retired in three years, one with a fail-safe gimmick.
  • Perhaps the next macroeconomic gimmick may be distributing tranquilizers in recessions.
  • The best gimmick a restaurant can use is to serve excellent food, hopefully with efficient service.
  • Thus, the odd gimmick proves to be a shrewd strategy.
  • If this cannot be done, then repealing any law is simply a gimmick.
  • It's about as unlikely a promotional gimmick as you can find.
  • The idea is proven but this whole media topic, which is mostly how it manifests, is a gimmick.
  • The telephone booth in the farm's name is no gimmick.
British Dictionary definitions for gimmick

gimmick

/ˈɡɪmɪk/
noun
1.
something designed to attract extra attention, interest, or publicity
2.
any clever device, gadget, or stratagem, esp one used to deceive
3.
(mainly US) a device or trick of legerdemain that enables a magician to deceive the audience
Derived Forms
gimmickry, noun
gimmicky, adjective
Word Origin
C20: originally US slang, of unknown origin
Word Origin and History for gimmick
n.

1926 (in Maine & Grant's "Wise-Crack Dictionary," which defines it as "a device used for making a fair game crooked"), American English, perhaps an alteration of gimcrack, or an anagram of magic.

Slang definitions & phrases for gimmick

gimmick

noun
  1. A secret device or hidden trick that causes something to work and assures that the customer will not win; gaff: A new gimmick, infra-red contact lenses, which enabled a card player to read markings on the backs of cards (1926+)
  2. Any device; gadget (1930s+)
  3. pparatus used for preparing and injecting narcotics; works: A small red cloth bag with his spike needle and ''gimmicks'' fell out (1960s+ Narcotics)
  4. A feature in a product, plan, presentation, etc, believed to increase appeal, although it is not necessarily useful or important; grabber, hook: This promo isn't bad, but we sorely need a gimmick (1950s+)
  5. One's selfish and concealed motive; angle, percentage: This looks fine, Mr Mayor. What's your gimmick, anyhow? (1950s+)
verb

: Get a fairly good item, then gimmick the hell out of it

[origin unknown; perhaps fr gimcrack]