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Houdini. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
Houdini, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
Houdini in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
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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
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.