phony (adj.)

"Not genuine" 也即 phoney，起源于1899年，可能是由于 fawney 的改编，后者指的是"诈骗者使用的镀金黄铜戒指"。

His most successful swindle was selling "painted" or "phony" diamonds. He had a plan of taking cheap stones, and by "doctoring" them make them have a brilliant and high class appearance. His confederates would then take the diamonds to other pawnbrokers and dispose of them. ["The Jewelers Review," New York, April 5, 1899]

他最成功的欺诈手段是销售"涂过油漆的"或"假冒的"钻石。他的计划是用不值钱的石头，并通过"伪造"使它们看起来具有高贵和亮丽的外观。他的同伙随后将钻石带到其他当铺出售。["珠宝商评论"，纽约，1899年4月5日]

名词"假人或假物"始见于1902年。