humbugs

Noun

humbug (countable and uncountable, plural humbugs)

1. (countable, slang) A hoax, jest, or prank.
   • The universal jester: or, a pocket companion for the wits. Being a choice collection of merry conceits, facetious Drolleries, humorous Waggeries, smart Repartees, pleasant Jokes, Clenchers, Closures, Bon Mots, and Humbugs; comic Stories, notable Puns, witty Quibbles, and ridiculous Bulls. To which...1754, Ferdinando Killigrew, The Universal Jester: or, A Pocket Companion for the Wits, London: […] R. Whitworth, […]; J. Warcus, […]; R. Richards, […]; W. Mynors, […]; and W. Heard, […], →OCLC, title...
2. (countable, slang) A fraud or sham; (uncountable) hypocrisy.
   • Look at the affairs of nations on the widest scale—look at their intercourse with each other—look at the manifestoes, by which war is declared—look at the treaties, by which peace is restored—look at the professions of kings, or popes, or generals, or ministers. Is not cant, humbug, hypocrisy, the...1822 August, “On Humbug, Pro and Con—and the Art of Puffing”, in [J. S. Boone], editor, The Council of Ten, volume I, number III, London: […] Thomas Wilkie, […], →OCLC, page 327
3. (countable, slang) A cheat, fraudster, or hypocrite.
   • He is a political humbug, the greatest of all humbugs; a man who swaggers about London clubs and consults solemnly about his influence, and in the country is a nonentity.1845, B[enjamin] Disraeli, chapter XI, in Sybil; or The Two Nations. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, book II, page 235
4. (slang, uncountable) Nonsense.
   • But let me tell Warner, and all ether geniuses of his cast, that such inventions are all a humbug. Such, tactics and tools are all to short-sighted and short-bit­ted for the work proposed.1846, editorial staff, “"The Long Range" of the Gospel”, in Scientific American, series 1, Volume 2, Issue 13, page 99
5. (UK, countable) A type of hard sweet (candy), usually peppermint flavoured with a striped pattern.
   • […] and if Albert Dykes wasn't sucking a mint humbug, my nose is not what it is and always has been.1928, Agatha Christie, The Mystery of the Blue Train
6. (US, countable, slang) Anything complicated, offensive, troublesome, unpleasant or worrying; a misunderstanding, especially if trivial.

See all 14 meanings of humbug