McCoy

[ muh-koi ]

noun

1. Usually the McCoy or the real McCoy. the genuine thing or person as promised, stated, or implied:

   Those other paintings are copies, but this one is the McCoy.

McCoy

¹

/ məˈkɔɪ /

noun

1. McCoyTony1974MNorthern IrishSPORT AND GAMES: jockey Tony, full name Anthony Peter McCoy. born 1974, Northern Irish national hunt jockey: champion jockey every season since 1995/96

McCoy

²

/ məˈkɔɪ /

noun

1. slang.
   the genuine person or thing (esp in the phrase the real McCoy )

Word History and Origins

Origin of McCoy¹

First recorded in 1880–85; also Mackay, McKie, the clear McCoy (of liquor); of uncertain origin; hypothesized identifications with Mackay, a Scottish clan, and Kid McCoy, nickname of U.S. boxer Norman Selby (1873–1940), are unsubstantiated

Word History and Origins

Origin of McCoy¹

C20: perhaps after Kid McCoy, professional name of Norman Selby (1873–1940), American boxer, who was called ``the real McCoy'' to distinguish him from another boxer of that name

Example Sentences

Brandon McCoy, St. John Bosco, 6-4, Jr: His athleticism, competitiveness, defensive toughness are second to none.

From Los Angeles Times

Stokes and McCoy were teammates on the USA U17 gold-medal team.

From Los Angeles Times

McCoy Rigby Entertainment — which repeatedly brought Cathy Rigby and “Peter Pan” to Broadway and on the road, and is transferring a “Mystic Pizza” musical to New Jersey’s Paper Mill Playhouse next year — has been hired to stage La Mirada Theatre’s seasons for 31 years and counting.

From Los Angeles Times

“There’s no having to raise 50% or 60% of our nut through donations and corporate sponsorships,” said executive producer Tom McCoy, “which, in the world of regional theater, is quite remarkable.”

From Los Angeles Times

This star-led “Fiddler” came to be because Alexander mentioned his interest in Tevye in a 2022 interview — an article McNicholl shared with producers McCoy and Rigby, the latter of whom worked with him in a 2008 production of “Li’l Abner.”

From Los Angeles Times