phonus bolonus
noun
pho·nus bo·lo·nus
\ˈfōnəsbəˈlōnəs\
Definition of phonus bolonus
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
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Origin and Etymology of phonus bolonus
alteration of phony baloney
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