Definition

1. Noun:
   • A mischievous supernatural being: In folklore and mythology, a trickster is a character, often with supernatural attributes, who uses cunning, deception, or magic to disrupt the ordinary world, challenge authority, or play pranks. They are frequently depicted with exaggerated physical features or immense appetites.
   • A deceitful person: A trickster is someone who habitually deceives others, leading them to believe something that is not true for personal gain or amusement.
   • A practical joker: A trickster is a person who enjoys playing tricks or practical jokes on others.

Examples

• Noun:
  • In many Native American stories, the coyote is a famous trickster figure. (Refers to the supernatural/folklore meaning.)
  • The con artist was a clever trickster who fooled many people with his schemes. (Refers to a deceitful person.)
  • My brother is such a trickster; he put a fake spider in my desk drawer. (Refers to a practical joker.)

Advanced Usage

• Cultural Archetype: In literary and anthropological studies, "trickster" refers to a universal archetype found in the myths and stories of cultures worldwide. This figure often embodies contradictions, being both creator and destroyer, wise and foolish.
  • The trickster archetype, like Loki in Norse mythology, often brings about change through chaos.
• Narrative Function: In narratives, a trickster character often serves to challenge the status quo, expose hypocrisy, or provide comic relief.
  • The playwright used the fool as a trickster to reveal the king's foolishness.

Variants and Related Words

• Trick (n/v): The act or means of deceiving or a playful joke.
  • He used a clever trick to win the game.
• Trickery (n): The practice of deception.
  • The election was marred by accusations of trickery.
• Tricky (adj): Deceitful or difficult to deal with.
  • That is a tricky question.

Synonyms

• Deceiver: One who misleads others.
• Swindler: One who cheats others out of money or property.
• Prankster: One who plays tricks, especially for amusement.
• Charlatan: A person falsely claiming special knowledge or skill; a fraud.

Related Phrases

• Trickster god: A deity in mythology known for deceit and mischief (e.g., Loki, Anansi, Hermes).
  • Anansi, the trickster god from West African folklore, is often depicted as a spider.
• Trickster tale: A type of folk narrative centered on the adventures of a trickster character.
  • We read a classic trickster tale about Br'er Rabbit.

Related Idioms

• Play the trickster: To act in a deceitful or mischievous manner.
  • He decided to play the trickster and hide the car keys as a joke.
• A trickster's grin: A smile that suggests slyness or secret knowledge.
  • She gave me a trickster's grin, knowing she had won the bet.

Noun

1. a mischievous supernatural being found in the folklore of many primitive people; sometimes distinguished by prodigious biological drives and exaggerated bodily parts
2. someone who leads you to believe something that is not true
3. someone who plays practical jokes on others