Thursday, May 12, 2005

Words: Fob and fob off

I have a security fob to enter a contract client site, and this morning I was wondering if "fob" and "fob off" are related. Merriam Webster says no:

fob (noun)
1 : WATCH POCKET
2 : a short strap, ribbon, or chain attached especially to a pocket watch
3 : an ornament attached to a fob chain
Etymology: perhaps akin to German dialect Fuppe pocket

fob off (transitive verb)
1 : to put off with a trick, excuse, or inferior substitute
2 : to pass or offer (something spurious) as genuine
3 : to put aside
Etymology: Middle English fobben
archaic : DECEIVE, CHEAT

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