fake book

American  

noun

1. a collection of lead sheets for musicians, especially a songbook of standards for use by jazz instrumentalists.

---

Etymology

Origin of fake book

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

“I started making a list of fake books and imaginary books,” Byers said.

From New York Times

As his collection grew from hundreds to thousands of fake books, Meyer expanded into additional garages and eventually warehouses, officially founding Faux Library in 2000.

From Los Angeles Times

The warmth of the family melodrama that powers the internal core of the narrative and provides the impetus to push Monk forward with the fake book tends to declaw the social commentary.

From Los Angeles Times

Bebop was not initially considered part of the jazz canon, but its inclusion in early mid-20th century fake books helped solidify the style’s standing in the narrative of jazz.

From New York Times

“If I’m using my Dan Brown brain, it’s obviously Dan Brown putting the bar codes on fake books so that no one ever sees this really embarrassing book that he wrote in the ’90s.”

From New York Times