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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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