Hocus Pocus means BullShit.

I finally got the answer from Kurt Vonnegut himself. Actually, I had been wondering what the title of the book (Hocus Pocus) referred to, and finally I got the answer.

The book is good. Then again, I've been on a Vonnegut high ever since I read Slaughter-House Five. On that note, we do learn from T.V. Anyway, Hocus Pocus is a story about a man (Hartke) who is imprisoned, telling a story of how he ended up imprisoned. He takes you on a journey through time where his entire life has been nothing more than extreme circumstances combined together to create life. Wow! We can pretty much say that's the theme of all his works. Except, Tralfamadorians don't come into this book until Chapter 26 (I think). Anywho, Vietnam Vet who becomes a professor at some College filled with "rich" people who can't read or write, with only a Bachelors Degree. Some of their parents must have others read to them. I'm still trying to figure the premise or whatever. Anyway, as soon as I figure out the deal here, I'll let you know.