cushy- adj. easy, comfortable
hocus- pocus- n. trickery
hubbub- n. uproar, tumult
immulate- v. to kill as sacrifice
misfire- v. fail to achieve a desired affect
nepotism- n. favoritsm shown to relatives
odalisque- n. female slave in an oriental harem
palpable- adj. can be touched, felt
periwig- n. wig
perk- v. to become lively