— hucksterism , n. — hucksterish , adj.
/huk"steuhr/ , n.
1. a retailer of small articles, esp. a peddler of fruits and vegetables; hawker.
2. a person who employs showy methods to effect a sale, win votes, etc.: the crass methods of political hucksters.
3. a cheaply mercenary person.
4. Informal.
a. a persuasive and aggressive salesperson.
b. a person who works in the advertising industry, esp. one who prepares aggressive advertising for radio and television.
v.t. , v.i.
5. to deal, as in small articles, or to make petty bargains: to huckster fresh corn; to huckster for a living.
6. to sell or promote in an aggressive and flashy manner.
[ 1150-1200; ME huccstere (perh. c. MD hokester ), equiv. to hucc- HAGGLE (c. dial. G hucken to huckster) + -stere -STER ]