"Not genuine" 也即 phoney，起源於1899年，可能是由於 fawney 的改編，後者指的是"詐騙者使用的鍍金黃銅戒指"。
His most successful swindle was selling "painted" or "phony" diamonds. He had a plan of taking cheap stones, and by "doctoring" them make them have a brilliant and high class appearance. His confederates would then take the diamonds to other pawnbrokers and dispose of them. ["The Jewelers Review," New York, April 5, 1899]
他最成功的欺詐手段是銷售"塗過油漆的"或"假冒的"鑽石。他的計劃是用不值錢的石頭，並通過"僞造"使它們看起來具有高貴和亮麗的外觀。他的同夥隨後將鑽石帶到其他當鋪出售。["珠寶商評論"，紐約，1899年4月5日]
名詞"假人或假物"始見於1902年。
