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Potemkin village

noun
Po·​tem·​kin village | \ pə-ˈtem(p)-kən- How to pronounce Potemkin village (audio) \

Definition of Potemkin village

: an impressive facade or show designed to hide an undesirable fact or condition

First Known Use of Potemkin village

1904, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for Potemkin village

Grigori Potëmkin, who supposedly built impressive fake villages along a route Catherine the Great was to travel

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