humbug

[huhm-buhg]

noun

1. something intended to delude or deceive.

   Synonyms: imposition

2. the quality of falseness or deception.

   Synonyms: sham, pretense

3. a person who is not what they claim or pretend to be; impostor.

   Synonyms: confidence man, quack, swindler, charlatan, deceiver, pretender

4. something devoid of sense or meaning; nonsense.

   a humbug of technical jargon.

5. British.,  a variety of hard mint candy.

verb (used with object)

humbugged, humbugging 

1. to impose upon by humbug or false pretense; delude; deceive.

   Synonyms: dupe, fool, trick, swindle, cheat

verb (used without object)

humbugged, humbugging 

1. to practice deception or falseness.

interjection

1. (used as an expletive to express rejection of something as being completely untrue or nonsensical.)

humbug

/ ˈhʌmˌbʌɡ /

noun

1. a person or thing that tricks or deceives

2. nonsense; rubbish

3. a hard boiled sweet, usually flavoured with peppermint and often having a striped pattern

verb

1. to cheat or deceive (someone)

Other Word Forms

• humbugger noun
• humbuggery noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of humbug¹

First recorded in 1730–40; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of humbug¹

C18: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

In a clever touch, Sphere lets us continue to see the monstrous green face, now neutered and ridiculous, mouth along as the panicked geek apologizes for being a humbug.

From Los Angeles Times

Watching their bloodied, bruised heroes emerge from whatever piles of flaming wreckage they’ve wrought amid so much forced merriment has a way of boosting our morale out of the humbug doldrums.

From Salon

Joined by his wife Katie, he plunges into another assignment, as he tries to get the "spirit of Christmas" back from the dastardly humbugs.

From BBC

As usual, they’re backing their promise with lies and other humbug.

From Los Angeles Times

His review of that film was titled: “Bah, humbug! ‘

From Los Angeles Times