spookshow

noun — 2 senses

spookshow

noun

Etymology From spook + show.

1

A show that involves ghosts.

  • Now that you've learned the tricks, it's time to put on a spookshow.2001, David Knoles, Spine-Tingling Magic Tricks:
  • ...full of characters who die screaming, but the Tom Baker-era spookshows have too much fun with the trappings of genre to be as ruthless.2005, Kim Newman, Doctor Who:
2 more examples
  • Adding it up one way, then adding it up another just to see if he can make it come out any other way than the crazy spookshow equation it wears for a face.2007, Norman Partridge, Dark Harvest:
  • "That spookshow downstairs was beyond belief," Karl said. "I mean that literally. I don't believe it had anything at all to do with ghosts."2007, Scott Ciencin, Constance M Burge, High Spirits:
2

Derogatory, Rare An organisation or situation that involves spies.

  • "Underneath the spookshow trappings, what is the bureau, anyway, but another intelligence agency?"2005, Brian Hodge, Hellboy #1: On Earth as it is in Hell:
  • They're some kind of British spookshow, totally top secret.2007, Chris Roberson, X-Men: The Return:

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.