Houdini
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English
Etymology
Invented by Harry Houdini from the French magician Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin.
Proper noun
Houdini
- The magician and escape artist Harry Houdini.
Noun
Houdini (plural Houdinis)
- An escape artist.
Usage notes
- Used attributively, as in:
- A delighted Thurlow described his performance as "a real Houdini act". – (BBC news report)
Translations
escape artist
Verb
Houdini (third-person singular simple present Houdinis, present participle Houdiniing or Houdini-ing, simple past and past participle Houdinied or Houdini-ed)
- (transitive, informal) To escape a difficult situation quickly.
- 2008, Anthony A. von Dessauer, Victoria, Lulu.com, page 97:
- “Hey! Let’s go see what the others are up too,” he suggested and Houdinied his way out from between the counter and Lorilei before fleeing to the hallway.
- 2009, Tony Esposito, Don’t Ever Leave This Country, AuthorHouse, page 197:
- While she Houdinied out of the sheets she seesawed upright to a sitting position, then, free, she sprang to her feet, her spiffy breasts not the least bit fazed by her thunky dismount.
- 2012, Jennie Ketcham, I Am Jennie, Gallery Books, page 340:
- Friends: to those I Houdini-ed, those I ran away from, those I lied to, took advantage of, or abused in any sort of way, I am sorry.