Huckster

Pronunciation

Origin

From Middle English hukster, from Middle Dutch hokester, itself from hoeken ("to peddle"); compare hawkster.

Full definition of huckster

Noun

1. A peddler or hawker, who sells small items, either door-to-door, from a stall, or in the street.
2. Somebody who sells things in an aggressive or showy manner.
3. One who deceptively sells fraudulent products.
4. Somebody who writes advertisements for radio or television.
5. A mean, deceptive person.
• Bishop HallInstead of turning to me and keeping to the works of charity and justice, he is a mere heathen huckster.
• 2013-06-07, David Simpson, Fantasy of navigation, Like most human activities, ballooning has sponsored heroes and hucksters and a good deal in between. For every dedicated scientist patiently recording atmospheric pressure and wind speed while shivering at high altitudes, there is a carnival barker with a bevy of pretty girls willing to dangle from a basket or parachute down to earth.

Verb

1. (intransitive) To haggle, to wrangle, or to bargain.
2. (transitive) To sell or offer goods from place to place, to peddle.
3. (transitive) To promote/sell goods in an aggressive/ showy manner.

Derived terms

• hucksterism