brummagem

American  

[bruhm-uh-juhm] / ˈbrʌm ə dʒəm /

adjective

1. showy but inferior and worthless.

---

noun

1. a showy but inferior and worthless thing.

Brummagem British  

/ ˈbrʌmədʒəm /

noun

1. Often shortened to: Brum.  an informal name for Birmingham

2. (sometimes not capital) something that is cheap and flashy, esp imitation jewellery

---

adjective

1. (sometimes not capital) cheap and gaudy; tawdry

Etymology

Origin of brummagem

First recorded in 1675–85; local variant of Birmingham, England (compare Bromwichham, Bromecham (17th century), Middle English Burmingeham ); originally in allusion to counterfeit coins produced there in the 17th century

Example Sentences

More than that, she has lived a life so rich in history that, by comparison, the attractive twentysomethings the Food Network so desperately wants to turn into stars seem like brummagem pretenders.

From Time Magazine Archive

Theatre needs all the expert make-up and massage that Playwrights Bolton & Maugham know how to apply, all the stage presence and vivacity that Cornelia Otis Skinner brings to the role of the brummagem heroine.

From Time Magazine Archive

The outside of the car features leaded windows, cream panels, false brickwork and fake timbers, and the motif of brummagem antiquity is carried on inside.

From Time Magazine Archive

The audience descended safely, opened their eyes, found themselves once more in the brummagem Astor ballroom.

From Time Magazine Archive

That conscience may be imperfect, inept, unintelligent, brummagem.

From In Defense of Women by Mencken, H. L. (Henry Louis)