Webb Garrison tells us about a common ruse among con artists in Ireland many years ago. These con artists would place a ring which looked expensive, but was in effect virtually worthless, in a public place where someone was sure to find it. This ring in the Irish dialect was called a “fawney.”

Sure enough, sooner or later someone would come along and discover the ring thinking they had found something quite valuable. Invariably this person would look around fearing that the real owner might see their find and come to claim it. Then, suddenly from nowhere, the con artist would appear. He would then persuade or frighten his victim into paying him to keep quiet about their find.  Making off with hush money, the con artist would leave the sucker holding this practically worthless ring.

So ma…