GET ME REWRITE: Why? Americans have long been addicted to snake oil come-ons

 

Headline:  NPR, 11/4/2022

Dictionary definition:  Merriam-Webster

From Rihanna to Brad Pitt, celebrities everywhere seem to be starting their own skincare lines. And they all seem to promise to help us achieve healthy, glowing, youthful skin – just like theirs. And yet most of those stars didn't use their own products to get their clear, Hollywood-smooth complexions. So what are they really selling? And why can't we seem to stop buying in?

According to Merriam-Webster, the first known use of 'snake oil' occurred in 1917.  

Other coinages from the same year include:

• acquired brain injury
• bad news
• blotto
• gaga
• nowheresville
• razzmatazz