Hornswoggle
Some of us hornswoggle. Others of us get hornswoggled. I don’t know about you, but I belong in the second category.
I am gullible from head to toe. Just ask my sister. When we were children, she tricked me into washing dishes for her over and over again.
Can’t you see the fun oozing out of her little body? We still get good laughs from her tricks.
Hornswoggle means to trick or cheat.
Other words describe it as:
- Deceive
- Dupe
- Hoax
- Bamboozle
- Swindle
- Hoodwink
Many hornswoggle experiences are harmless.
No one gets hurt. Laughter usually follows.
- Surprise parties
- Jokes
Enjoy those times.
However, other experiences cause great harm.
- Scams and other money schemes
- Relationship deceit
Watch out for snakes in the grass who hurt others with their deceptive ways.
The greatest harm comes from religious deceit.
Religious wolves in sheep’s clothing pretend to be someone or something they are not. They look and sound harmless but lead people the wrong way.
We want to be sure we follow the right path in life. We also want to direct others to it. Follow Jesus, “the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6 NIV).
“[Jesus] replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them” (Luke 21:8 NIV).
Thanks to Jonna J. LeVan for the idea. Read how her son hornswoggled her on Tracy Crump’s Caregiver Corner.
Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.
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16 thoughts on “Hornswoggle”
Thanks for the link, Diana! Both your posts are excellent!
My pleasure, Tracy. Thank you for your helpful blog, encouragement, and prayers.
Oh, the many times this has happened to me, and happens to this day now and again. I’m one who tends to trust everyone until they prove themselves to be untrustworthy, which happens far more often than it should.
I hear you, J.D. Another trait we share.
Diana, how kind of you to include my piece here. Thank you, so much! Actually, we are talking about a special type of hornswoggle in our lady’s study today. (The priority of “self-care” over soul care in our culture, even in the church, is truly a type of deceit.) Your piece is a such helpful reminder of this very thing.
I loved your post and the trigger to write this, Jonna. Thank you. I pray for an enlightening Bible study.
I’ve been hornswoggled during various times in my life. I tend to trust first, and sometimes I later learn that I’ve been hornswoggled. Thank you for the links. Have a blessed week! 🙂
Blessings on your week too, Melissa. Those hornswoggle experiences help us appreciate honest encounters, don’t they?
I’ve fallen victim to the hornswaggle more than I care to admit, Diana. May we keep our eyes focused on Jesus so others cannot not lead us astray.
Blessings!
You hit the nail on the head, Martha. Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus. Thank you. Have a wonderful week.
I’m familiar with the word bamboozle but not Hornswoggle. Thanks for this enlightening post!
Thank you, Candyce. Although I’m familiar with it, it’s not one I’ve heard often. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I love, love the the picture, and your little rompers! Have you done Gobsmackrd?
Thank you, Pat. It’s one of my favorites. I love Gail’s expression. I have not written on Gobsmacked. Thanks for the suggestion.
I’m gullible, too, so I’ve had my share of “hornswoggling” in my lifetime. I’m so thankful our Father doesn’t hornswoggle us. No tricks there–He is trustworthy and faithful. Blessings!
Wow! What a great conclusion, Katherine. I wish I had thought to include that in the post. Thank you.