huckster
/ˈhʌk.stər/
Definition
A person who attempts to profit through dishonest, exploitative, or overly aggressive commercial tactics, especially by trivializing or cheapening what they sell.
Etymology
Originating from the Middle English 'huxter,' it likely derives from Middle Low German or Middle Dutch words for a peddler or small-scale merchant. Over time, it shifted from a neutral term for a street hawker to a pejorative term for someone who engages in fraudulent or sleazy sales practices.
In the news
The article uses the term to critique the artist George Catlin, characterizing him as a cynical showman who exploited Native American lives and artifacts for commercial gain rather than treating his subjects with genuine respect.
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Read the full article ↗The Washington Post