IdiomAnimals
English
Englisha snake-oil salesman
Meaning: A swindler who sells fake remedies or worthless solutions.
Example: “That financial guru promising 50% returns is just a snake-oil salesman.”
Origin: In 19th-century America, traveling salesmen sold "snake oil" as a cure-all, often with no snake in it. In 1917 a seller named Clark Stanley was fined when his product was found to contain mineral oil and other cheap ingredients.
Equivalents in other languages
French: Un chevalier d'industrie Literally: A knight of industry- French: De la poudre de perlimpinpin Literally: Perlimpinpin powder
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