Origins of AK Redux

[Talisman]

No: HPFGUIDX 77469

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com,> 
> CW[re: meaning of AK]:
> 
> I've always thought it was a play on the conjuror's cry 
> of 'Abracadabra' eg when pulling a rabbit out of a hat. "snip" 
I've searched on the site, but this topic does  not seem to have 
come up before, or Yahoo can't find the reference..

Talisman, adjusting her pince-nez to get a good look at you, 
suggests:

I notice that you are spelling it "Kadavra" in the original 
message.  Perhaps this is the source of your problem.  Check your 
texts for the correct spelling, "Kedavra," and you will increase the 
chances of a successful search.  This subject has been discussed 
since the dawn of group time.

Not only has JKR explained in interviews that Avada Kedavra is a  
real--not made up-- term, but its definition is listed in the HP 
lexicon at www.theninemuses.net.  Although I recall seeing this in 
much earlier discussions, it can be found at message #49449, thanks 
to Tyler Hewitt. 

For the search-challenged, it means "may the thing be destroyed" in 
Aramaic.