What term is used to refer to a deceptive remedy or a fraudulent cure?

The term "snake oil" is historically used to describe deceptive remedies or fraudulent cures that are marketed as effective treatments but have little or no value. The origin of the term comes from the 19th-century sales of various "miracle cure" products, often sold by traveling salesmen, who would claim that these potions could treat an array of ailments without any scientific backing. This phrase has become synonymous with scams or quackery in the medical field, highlighting the importance of recognizing legitimate treatments versus those that are misleading or false.

In contrast, the other phrases have different meanings and contexts. "Just what the doctor ordered" conveys satisfaction with a recommended treatment, while "Will cost you an arm and a leg" refers to something that is very expensive. "Go the extra mile" denotes the act of making an extra effort to achieve something, not related to remedies or cures.