pinchbeck

n.

1. An alloy of zinc and copper used as imitation gold.
2. A cheap imitation.

adj.

1. Made of pinchbeck.
2. Imitation; spurious.

[After Christopher Pinchbeck (1670?-1732), English watchmaker.]

(PINCH-bek)

noun
An alloy of zinc and copper, used as imitation gold in jewelry.

adjective
Counterfeit or spurious.

Etymology
After watchmaker Christopher Pinchbeck (1670-1732), who invented it. It's ironic that today his name is a synonym for something counterfeit but in his time his fame was worldwide, not only as the inventor of this curious alloy but also as a maker of musical clocks and orreries*. The composition of this gold-like alloy was a closely-guarded secret but it didn't prevent others from passing off articles as if made from this alloy... faking fake gold!]
*Orrery: orrery.

Usage
"Blackpool is more than a tower of lights and a rhinestone mile of slots and seasonal variety acts. It is Lancashire's pinchbeck LA." — Adam Edwards; Keeping Up And Away From the Neighbours; Daily Telegraph (London, UK); Jul 24, 2004.

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noun

An inferior substitute imitating an original: copy, ersatz, imitation, simulation. See substitute.

something counterfeit or spurious

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