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

But despite reports that this is a major windfall for the Trumps, I’m much less convinced that that is the reason they’re going all in on digital funny money.

From Slate

No better way to ensure regulatory capture than to grant the president his own funny money.

From Slate

A new, unholy alliance has emerged on Capitol Hill, and it’s hoping not just to recraft governmental policy around digital funny money but to push its antiregulatory agenda across a whole host of elections.

From Slate

A decade ago, a funny money mystery fell into the hands of scientists and students at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru in Lima.

From New York Times

"Until recently Swedes were bidding up the price of homes with funny money," said Andreas Cervenka, author of "Greedy Sweden", a book examining inequality driven partly by the housing boom.

From Reuters