Word of the Day

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

brummagem

\BRUHM-uh-juhm\ , adjective;

Cheap and showy, tawdry; also, spurious, counterfeit.

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Quotes:

But demanding that publishers replace their brummagem wares with books which embody Kunin's "high standards of excellence" would be a promising -- and cost-free -- way to begin.

-- Betty McCollister, "A Conspiracy of Good Intentions: America's Textbook Fiasco", Humanist, November-December, 1993

The distortions they bring on damage society and fuel defiant behavior, encouraging everything from immigrations to the Cayman Islands, to active distortions of reality through brummagem corporate filings.

-- William F. Buckley, Jr., "Reforming the Rich", National Review, January 20, 2006

Origin:

Brummagem is an alteration of Birmingham, England, from the counterfeit groats produced there in the 17th century.