Language of Deception

Words for Not Genuine Things

• False: describes things that are not real but made to look or seem real, e.g., false eyelashes, false passport.
• Fake: used negatively to describe something that is not real or not what it claims to be, e.g., fake documents, phoney smile.
• Fake (without negative meaning): used to describe something that is intended to be like something else, often a material or a food, e.g., fake fur jacket, fake meat products.
• Faux (pronounced UK /fəʊ/ or US /foʊ/): used to describe something that is not real, often a material, e.g., faux pearls.
• Imitation: used to describe something that is not real, often a material, e.g., imitation leather.

Noun and Verb Forms

• Fake: a noun, refers to a copy of a valuable item intended to deceive people into thinking it is real or original, e.g., the painting was a fake.
• Fake: used for a person who deceives others by pretending to be something or someone they are not, e.g., the so-called ‘psychic’ turned out to be a fake.
• Forgery: a copy of something intended to deceive people into thinking it is real or original, e.g., the signature was a forgery.
• Forgery: the crime of making such illegal copies, e.g., she was charged with forgery.

Counterfeit and Pirated Goods

• Counterfeit: goods made to look like the original of something, usually for dishonest, illegal purposes, e.g., counterfeit goods.
• Pirated: goods that have been illegally copied and sold, e.g., pirated versions of goods originate from a specific place.
• Knock-off: a cheap (sometimes illegal) copy of a more expensive product, e.g., it’s not the real thing – it’s a cheap knock-off.

Innocent Copies

• Mock-up: a model or copy of something, sometimes the same size, used for showing how the real thing will look or operate, e.g., a mock-up of the building’s interior.
• Dummy: an object that appears to be real but is actually just a copy and cannot be used, e.g., it’s not a working TV – it’s just a dummy for the sales floor.
• Reproduction: a copy of something, usually a piece of art or furniture, especially one made to be sold more cheaply and widely than the original, e.g., reproduction furniture.