Barmecide
/ˈbɑːmɪsʌɪd
/adjective rare
Illusory or imaginary and therefore disappointing.Hence the expression ‘Barmecide feast’, a useful metaphor for, well, loads of things… use your imagination....
- For if all these experiences relieved the boredom of a well-brought-up young lady's life in Mayfair, they nonetheless proved a Barmecide feast.
- All virtuality is a Barmecide feast and Internet is virtuality par excellence.
noun
A person who offers benefits that are illusory or disappointing.These phagocytes, deceived the Barmecide, are made at my own house....
- Mince this online prescriptions pharmacy, croaked the Barmecide, by eating heartily of it.
- The Barmecide caressed Schacabac mightily, and told him, "I not only forgive the blow you have given me, but I desire henceforward we should be friends.
Origin
Early 18th century (as a noun): from Arabic Barmakī, the name of a prince in the Arabian Nights' Entertainments, who gave a beggar a feast consisting of ornate but empty dishes.