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    Why are fraudulent healers known as quacks?

    Question #38558. Asked by Hamlet.. (Sep 08 03 7:39 AM)


    Senior Moments

    		You only know they are quacks when you see the size of the bill

    Sep 08 03, 7:53 AM
    Linus_337

    		In northern Europe, the term for mercury was "quaksilber" — a forerunner of the English term "quicksilver."

    A dentist who used mercury was called a "quaksilber placer" or "quak" for short. Hence, the original use of the word "quack" was taken from dentists who used mercury for fillings.

    http://www.jrussellshealth.com/quacks.html

    Sep 08 03, 7:53 AM
    Linus_337

    		SM, you are a class act.

    "Waddle" you come up with next?

    Sep 08 03, 7:54 AM
    shady shaker

    		Is this a case of the quack and the dead?

    Sep 08 03, 8:02 AM
    Senior Moments

    		It is because they try to cure mallardies

    Sep 08 03, 8:06 AM
    Linus_337

    		I thought it wouldn't be long teal that one came out.

    Sep 08 03, 8:15 AM
    shady shaker

    		I guess you have to drake the good with the bad.

    Sep 08 03, 8:19 AM
    Linus_337

    		I didn't think of that one, eider.

    (copyright Ask Pun Trivia)

    Sep 08 03, 8:27 AM
    Tricia5

    		If you want a serious answer.....
    Once called a quacksalver, an itinerant drug vendor at fairs who "quacked" (hawked) his wares to the credulous rustics. Hence a Charlatan.

    From Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fabale

    Sep 08 03, 12:22 PM

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