Noun: snake oil sneyk oyl
- (medicine) any of various liquids sold as medicine (as by a travelling medicine show) but medically worthless
"The charlatan peddled snake oil as a cure-all to gullible customers"
- Communication (written or spoken) intended to deceive
"The politician's promises were dismissed as mere snake oil by sceptical voters";
- humbug
Type of: deceit, deception, liquid, misrepresentation
Encyclopedia: Snake oil