Dictionary

spookshow en · NOUN

Etymology

From spook + show.

Meanings

1. A show that involves ghosts.
   • Now that you've learned the tricks, it's time to put on a spookshow. 2001, David Knoles, Spine-Tingling Magic Tricks:
   • Adding it up one way, then adding it up another just to see if he can make it come out any other way than the crazy spookshow equation it wears for a face. 2007, Norman Partridge, Dark Harvest:
   • ...full of characters who die screaming, but the Tom Baker-era spookshows have too much fun with the trappings of genre to be as ruthless. 2005, Kim Newman, Doctor Who:
   • "That spookshow downstairs was beyond belief," Karl said. "I mean that literally. I don't believe it had anything at all to do with ghosts." 2007, Scott Ciencin, Constance M Burge, High Spirits:
2. (derogatory, rare) An organisation or situation that involves spies.
   • They're some kind of British spookshow, totally top secret. 2007, Chris Roberson, X-Men: The Return:
   • "Underneath the spookshow trappings, what is the bureau, anyway, but another intelligence agency?" 2005, Brian Hodge, Hellboy #1: On Earth as it is in Hell:

Forms