Well, hopefully most of you guys/gals will become magicians soon. Well if you're gonna be a magician, talk like one! If you use words like "I will now seperate the deck into two parts then put it back together" or you call your spectator "special guest", you've definately got some issues. Here are some words you might want to refer to.
1. Spectator - It means the person your are currently showing magic to. But please, PLEASE don't call them spectator. If you're looking for a volunteer say you'll need a spectator, but after you figure out their name NEVER say "Well spectator pick a card." Say their name was Bob. you would say "So Bob, could you please pick a card for me?" However you want to say it.
2. Magic - Now reading number 2 you must think everyone knows what magic is. Well, that's not what I mean. What I do mean is how to refer to things such as your tricks. DON'T say "Can I show you a magic trick?" Say magic. (never say that you want to show a trick, in another page I will tell you what to say instead)I know it seems dumb but for some reason when spectators (word number 1) hear magic "trick" they start inspecting everything and trying to hard to figure out what you're doing, plus magic is more professional to say, especially if you're performing for kids. So refer to them as Magic, not Magic Tricks.
3. Vanish - We all know disappear means vanish. But if you're going to make something "disappear," it sounds more "magic-y" to say vanish. well whatever you want to use is fine, whatever floats your boat =)
4. Cut - No, not something you get from scissors or a knife. This is a basic word EVERY magician uses and does. It's when you seperate the pack into two piles : [] -- [] Say the one on the left is the top half. place the one on the right (the bottom half) on top of the one on the left (top half), making the bottom part of the pack go on top. This is a way to mix up cards.
5. Technique - Use this word when you shuffle the deck. You will learn MANY different shuffling techniques such as the hindu shuffle, the double riffle and more! These you will not call i.e. Hindu Shuffle when speaking to the spectator. Say, "I'll use this technique that I have learned, I believe the hindu use it." Now obviously if you're not using the hindu shuffle you don't say the I believe part, just a technique you've learned.
6. Sleight - A technique sort of. A lot of times it will be a secret move, or a move in front of the spectator's eyes that does something hidden with your spectator not knowing a clue. These are very helpful!
7. Trick - NEVER USE THIS WORD!! THIS WORD IS TERRIBLE FOR MAGICIANS! NEVER EVER REFER TO A MAGIC PERFORMANCE AS A TRICK! IT RUINS THE FUN! If you ever want to talk about what you're doing, refer to it as MAGIC!