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Humbug: meaning, definitions and examples

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humbug

 

[ ˈhʌm.bʌɡ ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

deceptive talk

Humbug refers to language or behavior that is deceptive or insincere, often used to express disdain for someone or something perceived as fake or pretentious. It can also denote something that is considered a trick or a cheat.

Synonyms

deception, fraud, nonsense.

Examples of usage

  • The politician's promises were nothing but humbug.
  • She dismissed his flattery as pure humbug.
  • The advertisement turned out to be a humbug.
  • He detected the humbug in their claims.
Context #2 | Verb

to deceive

To humbug means to deceive or trick someone through misleading actions or statements. It implies a deceitful pretension.

Synonyms

fool, mislead, trick.

Examples of usage

  • He tried to humbug the audience with false claims.
  • They humbugged the new investors with exaggerated figures.
  • Don't humbug me with your excuses.
  • She managed to humbug him into believing her story.

Translations

Translations of the word "humbug" in other languages:

🇵🇹 charlatanismo

🇮🇳 बकवास

🇩🇪 Schwindel

🇮🇩 tipu

🇺🇦 нісенітниця

🇵🇱 oszustwo

🇯🇵 でたらめ

🇫🇷 charlatanisme

🇪🇸 engaño

🇹🇷 saçmalık

🇰🇷 헛소리

🇸🇦 هراء

🇨🇿 blud

🇸🇰 hlúposť

🇨🇳 胡说

🇸🇮 neumnost

🇮🇸 bullshit

🇰🇿 жалған

🇬🇪 ბოდვა

🇦🇿 boş söz

🇲🇽 tontería

Etymology

The term 'humbug' dates back to the mid-19th century and is believed to be of uncertain origin. It was notably popularized by Charles Dickens in his novella 'A Christmas Carol' (1843), where the character Ebenezer Scrooge famously used the word to denote his contempt for Christmas celebrations. The etymology is unclear, but it may arise from a combination of the word 'hum' meaning to make a sound or produce a buzz, and 'bug' which can refer to an annoyance or pest. As a result, humbug came to signify the idea of something that makes noise without substance, reflecting a sense of fakeness. Over time, it has come to encapsulate notions of deceitful behavior, especially in a social or political context.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,426, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.