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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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History and Etymology for phonus bolonus

alteration of phony baloney

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