Nonmagic Words Hinder Real Communication

"Nonmagic words—the vocabulary of the human race—hinder real communication. ... Magic words emanate from the heart." —Phillip Cooper

It is a Seed

Can you guess which magic word is referenced here?

“[I]t is a seed, a spiritual food, a magic word which opens a long-hidden, underground treasure-house.”

Here's the answer, if you give up.

Money

“‘Money?’ Pett, the student, became Pett, the financier, at the magic word.” —P.G. Wodehouse, Piccadilly Jim (1918)

Tu-Ku-Linga Mvula

Tu-ku-linga mvula: "we want rain" (an invocation by a Congo medicine man). From E. J. Glave's In Savage Africa: or, Six Years of Adventure in Congo-Land (1892).

Not Without the Magic Word

“Not without the magic word. If you can't say it, get me someone who can.”
—Chris Knopf, Bad Bird: A Mystery

The Breath of Witches

A line taken out of context, from our dictionary of magic words:

More predominant in old Gaelic folklore, the breath of witches or wise-women was said to have magical properties.

(See also our previous post about magic on the breath.)

(Photo by chiaralily)

Alakazoo, four-leaf clover

A line taken out of context, from our dictionary of magic words:

“Alakazoo, four-leaf clover, back we fly, your turn is over.” —Deborah Hautzig, Little Witch’s Big Night (1984)