What's the magic word?

What's the magic word?

A question posed to someone (typically a child) when they have asked for something without saying "please." A: "Can I have some money to go to the movies?" B: "What's the magic word?"
See also: magic
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • carpet
  • pull a rabbit out of (one's)/the hat
  • pull a rabbit out of a hat
  • pull a rabbit out of a hat, to
  • pull a rabbit out of the hat
  • pull something/a rabbit out of the hat
  • wave a magic wand
  • wave a wand
  • wave a/(one's) (magic) wand (and do something)
  • magic up
References in periodicals archive
You don't have to go over the top - for example, if they don't say please and thank you, try saying something like, "Excuse me, what's the magic word?" And if they're bashing your cupboards loudly, tell your son to tell them to stop.
'Guilty' parents are letting kids run riot
A young lad asked Nick Faldo: "Can you sign this?" and the six-times Major champion replied: "What's the magic word?"
Golf: It's a question of what will snap first out of her legs and my spirit; GOLF: THE OPEN
Forget "What's the magic word?" and simply ask them to say "Please".
Your Life: Kids: Teach them some MANNERS; POLITE CHILDREN ARE A DELIGHT TO BE WITH ... HERE'S OUR SIMPLE GUIDE TO MAKING SURE YOURS KNOW THEIR Ps AND Qs
Don't ask: "What's the magic word?" They won't learn like this.
How to turn a little devil into an angel; GUIDE TO INSTILLING GOOD MANNERS IN YOUR CHILD
"Alex asked his wife Cathy to make us all tea but I remember she said: `And what's the magic word?'
Football: DAZ WILL BE BETTER THAN BAZ; Scots super kid Fletcher can top Gers skipper says scout who sent him south
Half the children never say "please" or "thank you" so she always asks: "What's the magic word?".
Dear Jo