Something that’s "brummagem" (BRUM-uh-jum) is cheap and showy or counterfeit. The word came about as an alteration of Birmingham (England), from the counterfeit silver coins produced in that city in the 17th century.
Example (as used by Betty McCollister in the Humanist): "But demanding that publishers replace their brummagem wares with books which embody [Madeline] Kunin’s ‘high standards of excellence’ would be a promising – and cost-free – way to begin."
Similar Articles:
- Word to the Wise: Nonesuch – A "nonesuch" (NUN-such) is a model of perfection or excellence. Example (as used by James …
- Word to the Wise: Hawking – Hawking — from the Middle English — is offering goods for sale in public. The word was originally …
- Forget the Price of Oil… What About My Beer? – As Charlie Byrne and Alexis Siemon (the two other microbrew fans in the office) know all too well, d…
- Supererogatory – Something that’s “supererogatory” (soo-pur-ih-ROG-uh-tor-ee) – from the Latin for “to spend over and…
- The Safest Route – Are the roads you travel every day safe… or prone to deadly accidents? Find out with Saferoadmaps.or…
- A $5 Trick for Collecting What You’re Owed – There’s a way to increase your chances of collecting from a delinquent customer – or anyone else who…
- Word to the Wise: Ambit – "Ambit" (AM-bit) – from the Latin for "to go around" – is an area in which somet…