Sleight of hand

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

(Redirected from Sleeving)

Display Card Flourish

Sleight of hand, also known as prestidigitation or legerdemain, refers to the set of manual skills employed by magicians and tricksters to manipulate objects such as cards and coins, seemingly by magic. The term is often used to describe acts of magic that rely on hand speed, skill, and deception, rather than the use of specially designed apparatus or other forms of trickery. Sleight of hand is a fundamental technique in the performance of close-up magic, stage magic, and street magic.

History[edit | edit source]

The practice of sleight of hand dates back to ancient times, with evidence suggesting that it was used for entertainment and deceit in various cultures. The term "legerdemain" originates from the French léger de main, which translates to "light of hand," indicating the dexterity required for these tricks. Throughout history, sleight of hand has been associated with conjuring, illusion, and even thievery, as the techniques used by magicians are similar to those employed by pickpockets and swindlers.

Techniques[edit | edit source]

Sleight of hand encompasses a wide range of techniques, each designed for specific types of tricks. Some of the most common techniques include:

  • Palming: The act of holding or concealing an object in the hand in such a way that it is not visible to the audience.
  • False Shuffles and Cuts: Techniques used to give the appearance of shuffling or cutting a deck of playing cards while actually maintaining the order of the cards.
  • Misdirection: A psychological technique used to divert the audience's attention away from the sleight being performed.
  • Passes: Techniques used to secretly move objects from one hand to the other.
  • Coin Manipulations: Includes a variety of moves such as the coin vanish, coin production, and coin transposition.

Applications[edit | edit source]

While sleight of hand is most commonly associated with magic and entertainment, its principles are also applied in other fields. For example, some gamblers use sleight of hand techniques to cheat at card games, a practice known as card sharping. Additionally, the art of sleight of hand has been used in theatrical performances and films to create the illusion of supernatural abilities.

Learning and Mastery[edit | edit source]

Learning sleight of hand requires patience, practice, and a deep understanding of the mechanics behind each trick. Many magicians spend years perfecting their techniques, often starting with simple tricks and gradually moving on to more complex illusions. Mastery of sleight of hand not only involves technical skill but also the ability to engage and distract the audience, making the performance as much about psychology as it is about manual dexterity.

Notable Practitioners[edit | edit source]

Some of the most renowned practitioners of sleight of hand include Harry Houdini, who was known for his escape acts and expert manipulation of handcuffs and other objects; Dai Vernon, dubbed "The Professor," who was a master of card magic; and David Blaine, whose street magic performances have popularized sleight of hand for modern audiences.

See Also[edit | edit source]


```

This template is designed for use in marking articles related to the performing arts as stubs, which are articles that are too short to provide encyclopedic coverage of a subject. By including this template in an article, it automatically adds the article to the "Performing arts stubs" category, making it easier for contributors to find and expand short articles related to the performing arts.

WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD