humbug

views updated May 29 2018

hum·bug / ˈhəmˌbəg/ • n. deceptive or false talk or behavior: his comments are sheer humbug. ∎  a hypocrite: you see what a humbug I am.• v. (-bugged, -bug·ging) [tr.] deceive; trick: to humbug his humble neighbors was not difficult. ∎  [intr.] dated act like a fraud or sham.DERIVATIVES: hum·bug·ger·y / -ˌbəg(ə)rē/ n.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

humbug

views updated Jun 08 2018

humbug †hoax, imposture, fraud XVIII; pretence, sham; impostor XIX. of unkn. orig.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

humbug

views updated Jun 08 2018

humbug Hard boiled sweet, normally peppermint‐flavoured, cushion‐shaped.

A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition DAVID A. BENDER

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