2011年12月4日 星期日

cozen, yokels out of unregarded


cozen (KUHZ-uhn)

verb tr.: To trick or deceive.

Etymology
The origin of the word is not certain. It is perhaps from French cousiner, in the sense of one claiming to be a cousin to derive a benefit from the relationship. According to another theory, it is derived from obsolete Italian cozzonare, from Italian cozzone (horse trader), from Latin cocio (dealer). The word cousin is also slang for someone gullible.

Usage
"Hobart began his career in art by cozening yokels out of unregarded treasures." — Rhoda Koenig; Kicking A Dead Horse; The Independent (London, UK); Sep 12, 2008.



yo·kel ('kəl) pronunciation

n.
A rustic; a bumpkin.

[Origin unknown.]

IN BRIEF: An uneducated country person.

pronunciation Even though many people considered him a yokel, he had many good ideas to share about how to survive when the big storm hit.

yokel president...

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