Quackery is a derogatory term used to
describe questionable medical practices. According to Random House
Dictionary, a "quack" is considered a "fraudulent or ignorant
pretender to medical skill" or "a person who pretends,
professionally or publicly, to have skill, knowledge, or
qualifications he or she does not possess; a charlatan."
The word "quack" may derive from "quacksalver," an archaic word
originally of Dutch origin (spelled kwakzalver in contemporary
Dutch), meaning "boaster who applies a salve." There is also a
strong resemblance to the German word "quacksalber" which means
"questionable salesperson (literal translation: quack salver)." In
the Middle Ages the word quack itself meant "shouting. The
quacksalvers sold their wares on the market shouting in a loud
voice."
(taken from the Wikipedia entry for quackery)
What does all this have to do with this cache?
Nothing.
I needed a word for Q, and quackery seemed like a good one to
use.
Want to meet and
talk with other Hampton Roads Geocachers?
