/ ˈgɪmɪk; NAmE / noun
(often disapproving ) an unusual trick or unnecessary device that is intended to attract attention or to persuade people to buy sth :
a promotional / publicity / sales gimmick
► gim·micky / ˈgɪmɪki; NAmE / adjective :
a gimmicky idea
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WORD ORIGIN
1920s (originally US): of unknown origin but possibly an approximate anagram of magic , the original sense being a piece of magicians' apparatus .