Monday word: mountebank

[ersatz-read.livejournal.com]

mountebank (moun′tə-băngk′), noun,
1.  A person who sells quack medicines in public places, attracting potential customers with stories, jokes, and tricks.
2. A flamboyant charlatan; an unscrupulous pretender.

Etymology: Italian, from montambanco, one who climbs on a bench.

A good word to keep in mind during a presidential race.

Comments

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

It'd be nice if political candidates actually did make their speeches from benches.

---L.

[kryptyd.livejournal.com]

I love that word. I didn't know it was specifically associated with sellers of snake oil. Interesting.

[trellia-chan.livejournal.com]

This is a fun character trope in fiction. X-D

[med_cat]

I never knew this word's etymology; thanks!