humbug
12
9.1
- noun
- /ˈhʌmˌbʌg/
- Archaic
:
engaño
- It's all a bunch of humbug.
- Bah, humbug
- a bit of humbug
People were they, they hear Bah humbug, I'm I'm uptight.
- People were they, they hear Bah humbug, I'm I'm uptight.
- It sounds like Bah humbug too.
Examples
-
Who says "Bah, humbug" to Christmas?
Fiction book (2001) -
"Oh Scrooge, you're such a humbug," the director replied, beaming broadly, and he left to join his colleagues, loudly whistling "Jingle Bells."
Fiction book (1995) -
But my brand of humbug was what this old chief wanted to hear.
Fiction book (1995) -
People were right to point out what a humbug he was.
Blog text (31) -
So the retraction has basically pulled back the curtain, and now everyone sees the humbug that he is.
Blog text (2) -
I'm a humbug, a double-dealer, a regular Benedict Arnold.
-
The politician's speech was filled with humbug that misled the voters about his true intentions.
-
Many accepted his claims as mere humbug, realizing they were just fabricated stories to gain followers.
-
After investigating the so-called miracle cure, they found it to be nothing but humbug designed to exploit the desperate.
Synonyms
577
4.0
Deceiving someone to get money or an unfair advantage
166
4.1
A trick that makes people believe something false
18
9.3
A trick used to cheat people, often to get their money
7
8.0
A thing presented as helpful that does not work and tricks people
4
7.5
A false act or story that tries to trick people, often to make them laugh
1
9.6
Talk that tries to trick people with false statements
1
9.9
A trick done to cheat or fool people
1
9.8
Secret dishonest actions to get an unfair advantage
1
9.7
Dishonest words or actions that try to trick people
Tricks that fool people to gain an advantage
Dishonest actions that try to trick people
Antonyms
Idioms
How Pretentious
Surface Forms
Etymology
Humbug probably comes from two small parts, hum and bug, where bug once meant a 'ghost' or 'goblin' that could scare people. A helpful way to remember it is to think of a 'ghost trick', so a humbug is a 'trick' or sham—false talk meant to deceive people.