parlor trick
Drawing room magic
A parlor trick is a simple bit of magic or sleight of hand performed for entertainment in social settings—card tricks, coin vanishes, that sort of thing.
The term often carries a dismissive edge, suggesting something flashy but insubstantial: Their new AI is just a parlor trick.
What impresses at first glance may not hold up to scrutiny.
Skillful manual deception
- illusionMisleading sensory impression
- conjuringPerforming magical illusions
- prestidigitationSkillful hand-based illusions
- ventriloquismSpeaking through apparent others
juggling · mind-reading · levitation · disappearing act · mentalism · close-up magic
Attention-getting device or trick
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
- shamFraudulent imitation
- ruseDeliberate act of deception
- conArgument against
smoke and mirrors · misdirection · distraction · feint · subterfuge · pretense · fakery · chicanery
Skillful hand coordination
- finesseSubtle, deft handling
- nimble fingersAgile, precise manual dexterity
- hand-eye coordinationAbility to sync vision and movement
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
timing · practice · technique · flourish · showmanship · patter · misdirection · palming
Absurd or obvious pretense
- stuntDangerous feat for spectacle
- showboatingOstentatious self-display
- grandstandingPerforming to impress onlookers
- spectacleVisually striking event
show-off · posturing · theatrics · bluster · empty gesture · superficial · flashy · glib
Tension-easing social activity
- conversation starterInitiates social exchange
- crowd-pleaserBroadly appealing entertainment
- amusementPleased entertainment state
- diversionRedirection of attention
entertainment · showing off · dinner party · gathering · performance · demonstration
sleight-of-hand
Skillful manual deception
- illusionMisleading sensory impression
- conjuringPerforming magical illusions
- prestidigitationSkillful hand-based illusions
ventriloquism · juggling · mind-reading · levitation · disappearing act · mentalism · close-up magic
gimmick
Attention-getting device or trick
con · smoke and mirrors · misdirection · distraction · feint · subterfuge · pretense · fakery · chicanery · flimflam
dexterity
Skillful hand coordination
- finesseSubtle, deft handling
- nimble fingersAgile, precise manual dexterity
- hand-eye coordinationAbility to sync vision and movement
precision · timing · practice · technique · flourish · showmanship · patter · misdirection · palming · sleight
charade
Absurd or obvious pretense
- stuntDangerous feat for spectacle
- showboatingOstentatious self-display
- grandstandingPerforming to impress onlookers
spectacle · show-off · posturing · theatrics · bluster · empty gesture · superficial · flashy · glib · window dressing
icebreaker
Tension-easing social activity
- conversation starterInitiates social exchange
- crowd-pleaserBroadly appealing entertainment
- amusementPleased entertainment state
diversion · entertainment · showing off · dinner party · gathering · performance · demonstration
- party tricksspoon bending, juggling, balloon animal, pen spinning, matchstick puzzle
- gimmicksgimmick, ploy, stunt, gag, schtick
- tricksillusion, sleight of hand, sleight, vanishing act, disappearing act
- magicwizard, wand, sorcerer, witchcraft, mage
parlor trickgrand illusion
stage magic · virtuoso performance · theatrical production · theatrical spectacle · high art
parlor trickthe real thing
Authentic original version
tour de force · profound insight · deep knowledge · masterwork · breakthrough
trick, tricks, parliament, trickery, parlor, parlance, parley, parlour, parlours