Phraselet No. 92

Passing off, thought William. Spanish sparkling wine -- filthy stuff, he thought, filthy -- passed itself off as champagne. Japanese whisky -- Glen Yakomoto! -- was served as Scotch. Inferior hard cheese -- from Mafia-run factories in Catania -- was sold to the unsuspecting as Parmesan.

Lots of things were passed off in one way or another, and now, as he stood before the bathroom mirror he wondered if he could be passed off too.

- Alexander McCall Smith, Corduroy Mansions

(Hat Tip: Brandywine Books)