Magicians use a lot of special words. Sometimes when listening to two magicians chatting it is like hearing another language. Here are the meanings of some of the more common magic works..

Billet
Folded slip of paper (usually with a word or written message on it).

Effect
What a trick looks like from the audience’s point of view.

Fake
Often spelt ‘feke’. A gimmick used in a trick.

Force
Making a spectator choose something you want him or her to choose whilst apparently giving a free choice.

Gimmick
A secret device used to perform a trick.

Load
Items prepared for a production of some sort. ‘To load’ means secretly getting the load into the position needed for the trick.

Magician’s Rope
Very soft rope used for tricks.

Palming
Keeping something hidden, usually in the palm of your hand.

Patter
The talk or story that accompanies the performance of a trick.

Pull
Secret device that conveys objects up the sleeve or under the coat.

Set-Up
Anything arranged in a special way before the performance.

Silk
A handkerchief made from silk or other fine material

Switch
To secretly change one object for another.