Blagging

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /ˈblæɡɪŋ/

Definitions

1. Getting something through clever persuasion or by deceiving others
2. Acquiring goods, information, or favors by using charm or dishonest methods
3. Securing what is wanted by misleading someone or using cunning speech

Etymology: Blagging is a plain formation: it comes from the verb "blag" with the suffix "-ing", which English uses to turn verbs into participles and gerunds. The suffix itself has a long pedigree, tracing back through Old English "-ung" and Middle English "-ynge" to much older Germanic endings, but the word that matters here is "blag", which is where the meaning lives. The verb "blag" carries the sense of obtaining something by charm, cheek or deception, whether that means talking one's way into a free drink, persuading a company to hand over money, or extracting information that was not meant to be shared. The "-ing" form simply names that activity as a continuing practice, so a person who keeps doing it is "blagging" in the ongoing sense.

Synonyms: cheating, fooling

Antonyms: honesty