The story
Attested since 1856, from Birmingham + -ize. From the English city being known for cheap knock-off goods. Coined by Ralph Waldo Emerson.
First known use, by meaning
- 1856 To make ersatz .
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Birminghamize
Today it means: To make ersatz . Full definition →
First used 1856