Dictionary
snake oil
noun
: something that is sold as medicine but that is not really useful or helpful in any way
Full Definition of SNAKE OIL
1
: any of various substances or mixtures sold (as by a traveling medicine show) as medicine usually without regard to their medical worth or properties
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First Known Use of SNAKE OIL
1917
Medical Dictionary
snake oil
noun
Medical Definition of SNAKE OIL
: any of various substances or mixtures sold (as by a traveling medicine show) as medicine usually without having had the claims of their medical worth or properties substantiated by scientific tests
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