Foist
/fɔɪst/noun
To force something unwanted on someone, or to pass something off as genuine.
Did you know?The noun/verb likely entered English through 16th-century thieves’ cant, and its exact deeper origin is uncertain, which makes it one of those words that arrived already wearing a mask.
Etymological Timeline
16th Century
English
foist
“To palm off or secretly insert something on someone”
16th Century
Thieves' Cant
foist
“A suspected secretive or underhand term used by rogues and swindlers”
Unknown
Uncertain
foist
“Origin unclear; possibly from a cant or dialect source, with no secure older form”
Modern English
English
foist
“To impose or palm off something unwanted or fraudulent”