Any of the sham villages said to have been built by Potemkin to give a false impression of prosperity in the Crimea, in advance of Catherine II's visit in 1787. Chiefly figurative.
Origin
Early 20th century. After Russian Potëmkinskaja derevnja.
Definition of Potemkin village in US English:
Potemkin village
noun
Any of the sham villages said to have been built by Potemkin to give a false impression of prosperity in the Crimea, in advance of Catherine II's visit in 1787. Chiefly figurative.
Origin
Early 20th century. After Russian Potëmkinskaja derevnja.