CultureAugust 27, 2026

mesmerising

MEZ-muh-rye-zing

Definition

Captivating or hypnotic in a way that holds one's complete attention.

Etymology

Derived from the name of Franz Mesmer, an 18th-century physician who practiced 'animal magnetism.' His techniques were believed to induce a hypnotic state, eventually leading the term to mean anything that holds one spellbound.

In the news

The reviewer notes that by focusing more on linear storytelling, the performers lost some of the 'mesmerising absurdity' that typically defines their unique style.

REVIEW: Bigfoot Ripped My Dog In Half I Saw It, Xhloe and Natasha, Soho Theatre, SoHo Playhouse, EdFringe 2026

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