What is the origin of the word 'abracadabra'?

Answer 1

It appears to be Semitic but the truth is, no one knows where it originates from. There is an internet "folk etymology" going around that says it comes from Hebrew or Aramaic, but this is untrue.

Reading the consonants only, it appears to mean "I will create like the word" or "I will create as I speak", though the vowels aren't an exact match for any known Semitic language.

In Hebrew, this phrase would be rendered Evra ke'adaber (אברא כאדבר) or Evra kadavar (אברא כדבר).

There are also folk etymologies that point to similar words in Latin and Greek such as abraxas.

Answer 2

Here are some answers from the community. All are untrue, and most are folk etymologies:

• Spanish :)
• it comes from the roman language
• It has its origins in the Aramaic language, in which 'ibra' means 'I have created' and 'K'dibra' means 'through my speech' from which the word Abracadabra is derived. The word came into popular usage in the 3rd Century AD when Sammonicus (who was physician to Emperor Calacalla)) suggested that the word be worn as an amulet, in the form of a triangle, to combat malaria
• The Middle East, perhaps from the Aramaic.
• ask your teacher dont ask me
• Greek.
• It is an ancient name for a supreme God and thus a word of great power. Comes from Late Greek as 'Abraxas'. This was the name of a God worshipped in Alexandria in pre Christian times. Abracadabra came into greater use in the 3rd Century AD when a Roman Physician recommended that sufferers from Malaria were to wear an amulet with the word written on the amulet in the form of a triangle
• It is likely from the Aramaic, based on the Aramaic roots abra and cadabra which roughly mean "create" and "as I say." It first appears in Latin incantations associated with Gnosticism.
• It is a magical incantation believed to be derived from either Hebrew or Aramaic, meaning literally, "Avra Kadavrai" or "I will create as my words".
• This word is said to have been the name of the supreme diety of the Assyrians. It was recommended by Q. Severus Sammonicus as a charm against ague and flux if written on a piece of paper, hung around the neck, in this form:

A B R A C A D A B R A

A B R A C A D A B R

A B R A C A D A B

A B R A C A D A

A B R A C A D

A B R A C A

A B R A C

A B R A

A B R

A B

A

• The meaning of abracadabra is a old magical formula that was supposed to have a healing effect. The word is now commonly used as an incantation by stage magicians.
• Greek.
• it may have originated from Aramaic, Hebrew, or Greek. Means something like "I create what I speak".
• i do not know
• Aramaic.
• Abracadabra is an incantation used as a magic word in stage magic tricks, and historically was believed to have healing powers when inscribed on an amulet. The word is thought to have its origin in the Aramaic language, in which abra(אברא) means "to create" and cadabra (כדברא) which means "as I say",[citation needed] providing a translation of abracadabra as "create as I say", thus its use in magic.
• Hebrew.
• the word "abracadabra" is originated from the ancient civilisation of colibuboo.
• they created this word to please the gods Thodgy, Dero and Bogan. In many occasions they would throw themselves of cliffs and do a jiggly dance singing ABRACADABRA. Afterwards theyre body would be devoured by the children of the village.
• India
• Herbrew
• herbrew NOT! it is not hebrew
• latin

Answer 3

It appears to be Semitic but the truth is, no one knows where it originates from. There is an internet "folk etymology" going around that says it comes from Hebrew or Aramaic, but this is untrue.

Reading the consonants only, it appears to mean "I will create like the word" or "I will create as I speak", though the vowels aren't an exact match for any known Semitic language, and the grammar is wrong.

In Hebrew, this phrase would be rendered Evra ke'adaber (אברא כאדבר) or Evra kadavar (אברא כדבר).

There are also folk etymologies that point to similar words in Latin and Greek such as abraxas.

Answer 4

The short answer is that no one knows.

At first glance, it appears to be Semitic but the truth is, no one knows where it originates from. There is an internet "folk etymology" going around that says it comes from Hebrew or Aramaic, but this is untrue.

Assuming it's Semitic, and reading the consonants only, it appears to mean "I will create like the word" or "I will create as I speak", though the vowels aren't an exact match for any known Semitic language, and the grammar is wrong.

In Hebrew, this phrase would be rendered Evra ke'adaber (אברא כאדבר) or Evra kadavar (אברא כדבר).

There are also folk etymologies that point to similar words in Latin and Greek such as abraxas.

See the community answers below for many creative folk etymologies.