Pronunciation: [hˈə͡ʊks] (IPA) 
The word "hoax" is spelled with a silent "x" at the end. The IPA phonetic transcription of "hoax" is /həʊks/. The "h" represents the initial consonant sound, followed by the long vowel sound represented by the symbol /əʊ/. The "k" represents the final consonant sound, but the "x" is not pronounced, hence the silent letter. The word "hoax" refers to a prank or deception intended to trick someone, often involving false information or news.
A hoax is a deliberate and intentional deception or fabrication, designed to mislead or trick individuals into believing in something that is false or imaginary. It is an elaborate scheme or prank intended to cause confusion or amusement, often fueled by a desire for attention, laughter, or a specific reaction. The purpose of a hoax is to create a false narrative or scenario that can deceive others, exploiting their beliefs, emotions, or gullibility.
Hoaxes can take various forms, such as fabricated news stories, false claims, forged documents, photoshopped images, or manipulated videos. They may be disseminated through traditional media channels, social media platforms, or even person-to-person communication. They exploit the trust and credibility placed in sources of information, aiming to generate a viral effect for maximum impact.
Hoaxes can be harmful in a number of ways. They can undermine the public's trust in institutions, create public panic or fear, damage reputations, or incite unnecessary controversy and conflict. Hoaxes have the potential to cause significant social, economic, or political consequences, depending on the scale and nature of the deception.
Detecting and debunking hoaxes often requires critical thinking, fact-checking, and comprehensive research. While some hoaxes are relatively harmless pranks, others can lead to serious real-world consequences. The intention behind a hoax, whether for personal amusement or with malicious intent, is geared towards manipulating and deceiving unsuspecting individuals.
• Something done for deception; a deceptive trick; an imposition.
• To play a trick upon for sport; to deceive.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "hoax" originated in the late 18th century, and its etymology is uncertain. There are a few possible explanations for its origins, but no definitive answer exists.
One possible origin of "hoax" is from the verb "hocus", which means to cheat or deceive. This verb likely comes from the phrase "hocus pocus", which was used as a term for a magician or conjurer. Over time, "hocus pocus" evolved into simply "hoax".
Another possible origin is from the verb "hoke", which means to deceive or swindle. "Hoke" may have been derived from the word "hocus" as well.
Lastly, some suggest that "hoax" could come from the verb "hawke" or "hawking". In the past, "hawking" was commonly used as slang to mean cheating or deceiving.
