funny money

American  

noun

Slang.

1. counterfeit currency.

2. money from undisclosed or questionable sources.

3. currency of little value, as of a nation whose currency has been artificially inflated or recently devaluated.

4. any foreign currency.

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funny money British  

noun

1. a sum of money so large as to be considered unreal

2. counterfeit money

3. derogatory foreign currency

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funny money Idioms  

1. Counterfeit money; also, money from an obscure or questionable source. For example, The police warned storekeepers that some funny money was being passed around town. This expression probably endures because of its rhyme. [1930s]

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Etymology

Origin of funny money

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

"With rising interest rates, that funny money has turned into real money and it is painful."

From Reuters • Sep. 15, 2023

They obscured the actual value with point systems and hoped customers would treat the cards they bought like funny money.

From The Verge • Jul. 1, 2021

Instead they will be foisted onto exporters who, having paid their suppliers and workers in hard cash, will have to accept funny money for their earnings.

From Economist • May 12, 2016

Jet is a discount site, so I suspect the funny money was meant to illustrate the cash I’d save by shopping there.

From New York Times • Jul. 29, 2015

Node:funny money, Next:furrfu, Previous:funky, Up:= F = funny money n.

From The Jargon File, Version 4.2.2, 20 Aug 2000 by Steele, Guy L.