Etymology Journal · A
As phony as a $3 bill
Meaning
- Used to describe a person or object that is entirely fake or dishonest. Since three dollar bills do not exist, the phrase implies that the fraud is obvious to anyone paying attention.
Critical, skeptical
Used in a sentence
- His apology felt as phony as a $3 bill.
- I wouldn't trust that salesman because he is as phony as a $3 bill.
- The designer handbag she sold me was as phony as a $3 bill.
The backstory
This term became popular in the United States during the 19th century. Counterfeit bills were once a major concern, and the rarity of certain denominations made them a target for scammers.
Heard in
Nationwide
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