snake oil
noun
any of various liquid concoctions of questionable medical value sold as an all-purpose curative, especially by traveling hucksters.
Slang.
deceptive talk or actions; hooey; bunkum: The governor promised to lower taxes, but it was the same old snake oil.
Origin of snake oil
An Americanism dating back to 1925–30
OTHER WORDS FROM snake oil
snake-oil, adjectiveWords nearby snake oil
Example sentences from the Web for snake oil
Beware, too, of the snake-oil salesmen who promise permanently sharp knives.
Americans need protection from these snake-oil salesmen, and that protection depends almost entirely on Congress and the media.
Leslie H. Gelb: The Dangers of Warmongering on Syria, Iran |Leslie H. Gelb |March 9, 2012 |DAILY BEASTThis is a country,” says Joe Wilson, “that welcomes the Elmer Gantrys and the snake-oil salesman.
Such advisers are routinely dismissed by admission officers as snake-oil salesmen.
Idioms and Phrases with snake oil
snake oil
see under banana oil.