genuine article

[ jen-yoo-in ahr-ti-kuhl, jen-yoo-ahyn ]

noun

, Slang.

1. the genuine article, a person or thing that is an excellent, authentic, or true example of their type, rather than just an imitation:

   Don’t buy mass-produced T-shirts that weren’t really tie-dyed—we’ve got the genuine article!

   When it comes to real-life heroes, Lieutenant Shapiro is the genuine article.

Pronunciation Note

See genuine ( def ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of genuine article¹

First recorded in 1790–95

Example Sentences

Like Tinbergen’s birds, we prefer exaggerated artifice to the genuine article.

From Singularity Hub 

There are others who actually know Bert Rodriguez yet still accept me as the genuine article.

From The Daily Beast

The cynics among us will be rankled at the description of a book as “inspiring,” but Massie is the genuine article.

From The Daily Beast

There must be either a good deal of gilded gingerbread or a great let of the genuine article, at our places of worship.

From Project Gutenberg

Clearly the sans-culotte of Brussels was a mere tinsel imitation of the genuine article at Paris.

From Project Gutenberg

They've got eyes for every little detail, and they know the difference between the genuine article and an imitation.

From Project Gutenberg

The above despatch has the appearance of the genuine article—but I am inclined to think it a clever counterfeit.

From Project Gutenberg

One need not blame the Italian for this, though when he himself eats of it, or gives it you to eat, it is the genuine article.

From Project Gutenberg