Bogus
Adjective
Definition: Not genuine; sham; counterfeit.
Synonyms: Fake, False, Spurious
Antonyms: Genuine, Authentic, Real
- The website was selling bogus designer handbags.
- He tried to pass off a bogus ID as his driver's license.
- Think of the word "bogus" starting with a "B" like "counterfeit" or "fake."
Etymology:
The exact origin of the word "bogus" is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated in the United States in the early 19th century. It may have been derived from the slang term "bogus cove," which referred to someone who pretends to be something they are not.
Historical Usage:The word "bogus" gained popularity in the mid-19th century and has been used consistently since then to describe something as fake or not genuine.
Related Idioms:
"Bogus claim"
Explanation:Refers to a false or unsupported statement made with the intention to deceive or mislead.
Misconceptions:
Confusing "bogus" with words like "spurious" or "counterfeit."
Explanation:While "bogus" shares similar meanings with these words, it specifically refers to something being not genuine or fake, rather than being simply misleading or of inferior quality.