bunko

American  

[buhng-koh] / ˈbʌŋ koʊ /

Or bunco

noun

plural

bunkos

1. a swindle in which a person is cheated at gambling, persuaded to buy a nonexistent, unsalable, or worthless object, or otherwise victimized.

2. any misrepresentation.

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verb (used with object)

bunkoed, bunkoing

1. to victimize by a bunko.

bunko British  

/ ˈbʌŋkəʊ /

noun

1. a variant spelling of bunco

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Etymology

Origin of bunko

1880–85; shortened form of bunkum; cf. -o

Example Sentences

Neighbors knew her from the monthly gathering of women who rotated between homes for games of the dice game bunko.

From Time • Dec. 17, 2012

Originally a Victorian parlor game, bunco made its way to the U.S. in the mid-1850s as a gambling game known first as "banco" and later as "bunco" or "bunko."

From Time Magazine Archive

I do not know anything excepting that I have addressed several bunko parties attended by ladies exclusively.

From Time Magazine Archive

Truman also said that the television report had been "fixed up by BBDO"�which he defined as "bunko, bull, deceit and obfuscation."

From Time Magazine Archive

You are a sort of capper for a gum bunko game, eh?

From Peck's Uncle Ike and The Red Headed Boy 1899 by Peck, George W. (George Wilbur)