August 19, 2009
- gimmick (noun)
- \GHIM-ik\

- What does it mean?
- 1 a : an ingenious scheme or device b : a trick or device used to attract business or attention2 : a important feature that is not immediately apparent
- How do you use it?
- The auto dealer's use of an adorable puppy in his TV commercials proved to be a successful advertising gimmick.
- Are you a word wiz?
Which one of these sentences do you think uses "gimmick" correctly?
You don't need any gimmicks to answer the quiz, just an understanding of the word "gimmick." Sentence B does not use "gimmick" correctly. Gabi is making a "grimace," a twisting of the face or features, at the foul-smelling meat. You can also disregard C, since it uses "gimmick" as a verb instead of a noun. It's the ability to "imitate" or "mimic" the songs of other birds that distinguishes the mockingbird. And Sentence D refers to "giblets," the edible inner organs of a bird. That leaves Sentence A with the salesman's pitch as the correct one.
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