phonus bolonus

noun

pho·​nus bo·​lo·​nus
ˈfōnəsbəˈlōnəs
1
: pretentious falsity : piffle, tripe
all the stylish humbug he is fond of calling phonus bolonus—New York Times
2
: chicanery, skulduggery, trickery
it was owing to some phonus bolonus on his part that the conflagration had been unleashed—P. G. Wodehouse

Word History

Etymology

alteration of phony baloney

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Dictionary Entries Near phonus bolonus

Phonovision

phonus bolonus

phony

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Cite this Entry

“Phonus bolonus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phonus%20bolonus. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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