real McCoy

== English == === Alternative forms === real McKoy real Macoy === Etymology === Corruption of Scots the real MacKay, this latter attested in 1856 as “A drappie o’ the real MacKay” (A drop of the real MacKay). How “MacKay” became “McCoy” is unclear; first attested in the form “McCoy” in the US in 1908. The term is the subject of many folk etymologies, discussed at the Wikipedia entry. === Pronunciation === === Noun === the real McCoy (idiomatic, dated) The genuine thing, neither a substitute nor an imitation. Synonym: real deal ==== Translations ==== === References === === Further reading === The real McCoy on Wikipedia.Wikipedia