funny money

American  

noun

Slang.

1. counterfeit currency.

2. money from undisclosed or questionable sources.

3. currency of little value, as of a nation whose currency has been artificially inflated or recently devaluated.

4. any foreign currency.

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funny money British  

noun

1. a sum of money so large as to be considered unreal

2. counterfeit money

3. derogatory foreign currency

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funny money Idioms  

1. Counterfeit money; also, money from an obscure or questionable source. For example, The police warned storekeepers that some funny money was being passed around town. This expression probably endures because of its rhyme. [1930s]

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Etymology

Origin of funny money

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

A decade ago, a funny money mystery fell into the hands of scientists and students at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru in Lima.

From New York Times

"Until recently Swedes were bidding up the price of homes with funny money," said Andreas Cervenka, author of "Greedy Sweden", a book examining inequality driven partly by the housing boom.

From Reuters

"With rising interest rates, that funny money has turned into real money and it is painful."

From Reuters

Why people want to buy funny money like cryptocurrencies rather than, say, Peloton bikes or stock in Peloton-style companies is a subject for another time, but I'm pretty sure it has something to do with the ever-present need for having something hip and hot to talk about at dinner parties.

From Salon

She understood that market value assigned to art is the equivalent of funny money.

From New York Times