MOHOCKISM Meaning and
Definition
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Mohockism refers to a cultural phenomenon that emerged in 18th-century England. This term is derived from the word "Mohawk," referring to the Indigenous people of North America, particularly the Iroquois tribe known for their fierce warriors. Mohockism is characterized by extreme acts of violence, vandalism, and debauchery carried out by young men, often of the upper class.
The term "Mohock" was originally coined to describe a fictional gang of violent ruffians in London, who were said to terrorize the city streets at night. These imagined Mohocks supposedly engaged in sadistic acts like cutting off women's noses, disfiguring men, and other heinous acts of violence. The association with the feared Native American tribe bestowed an air of savagery and brutality upon this group.
Mohockism became a popular topic in literature, fueling moral panic and public fascination. However, many historians now view Mohockism as a fabricated moral panic driven by sensationalism and storytelling without any concrete evidence of the existence of such gangs. The term itself faded from use after a few decades.
Today, mohockism can be used metaphorically to describe any reckless or violent behavior, often associated with youth subcultures. It serves as a historical reminder of the power of morbid curiosity and the tendency to scapegoat marginalized groups for societal fears.
Common Misspellings for MOHOCKISM
- nohockism
- kohockism
- johockism
- mihockism
- mkhockism
- mlhockism
- mphockism
- m0hockism
- m9hockism
- mogockism
- mobockism
- monockism
- mojockism
- mouockism
- moyockism
- mohickism
- mohkckism
- mohlckism
- mohpckism
- moh0ckism
Etymology of MOHOCKISM
The term "mohockism" derives from the word "Mohocks", which referred to a fictional tribe of violent, ultra-aggressive Native Americans. The word came into prominence in the early 18th century in London and was used to describe a subculture associated with violent and anti-social behavior.
The "Mohocks" themselves were based on distorted perceptions and stereotypes of Indigenous North American tribes, particularly the Mohawk people, who were known for their fierce reputation in warfare. It is important to note that the fictional nature of the tribe was completely detached from any actual Mohawk culture or practices.
The word "mohockism" emerged as a result of the fear and anxiety generated by stories and rumors of violent acts committed by this fictional tribe. It was used to describe similar acts or behaviors in London society during the early 18th century.
