kubus, noun
/ˈkʊbʊs/
- Origin:
- KhoikhoiShow more Khoikhoi plant name.
a. In historical contexts. A fungus cultured in milk, claimed by its promoters to possess anti-ageing properties, and sold to investors during the mid-1980s as part of a fraudulent money-making scheme. b. Used allusively of any such scheme. Also attributive, and combination. kubus-type adjective.
1984 Cape Times 13 July 2The secret use of the kubus plant has been unveiled — it is to be exported to the United States where it will be made into a range of cosmetics to be known as Cleopatra’s Secret.
1991 M. Stansfield in Sunday Times 17 Feb. 7Evidence given to the commission showed that Mr V— operated a ‘Kubus-type scam’.
- Derivatives:
- Hence kubusy adjective nonce, suspect, doubtful.1987 E. Moolman in You 22 Oct. 8The so-called ‘grocery clubs’ are starting to smell just a little..well..‘kubusy’, shall we say. And anyone who lost his boots in the kubus ripoff will certainly recognise the smell.
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