Humbug
noun
Deception or false talk.
He claimed to be a millionaire, but it was all humbug.
Often appears as...
- pure humbug
- such a humbug
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
A person who deceives or talks falsely.
Don't listen to him, he's a humbug.
Often appears as...
- he's a humbug
- total humbug
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To deceive or trick someone.
The shopkeeper tried to humbug us into buying fake goods.
Often appears as...
- humbug into buying
- humbug into believing
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
A hard candy with peppermint flavor.
I bought a packet of humbugs from the corner shop.
Often appears as...
- pack of humbugs
- mint humbugs
interjection
Used to show that you think something is nonsense or not important.
Humbug! I don't believe a word of it.
Often appears as...
- humbug! nonsense!
- humbug to that!
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
Deception or false talk.
He claimed to be a millionaire, but it was all humbug.
Often appears as...
- pure humbug
- such a humbug
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
A person who deceives or talks falsely.
Don't listen to him, he's a humbug.
Often appears as...
- he's a humbug
- total humbug
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To deceive or trick someone.
The shopkeeper tried to humbug us into buying fake goods.
Often appears as...
- humbug into buying
- humbug into believing
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
A hard candy with peppermint flavor.
I bought a packet of humbugs from the corner shop.
Often appears as...
- pack of humbugs
- mint humbugs
interjection
Used to show that you think something is nonsense or not important.
Humbug! I don't believe a word of it.
Often appears as...
- humbug! nonsense!
- humbug to that!
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 5
Pro Tip 1/3Skepticism Required
Use 'humbug' to express doubt about someone's honesty or the truth of a situation.
His charity work seems like humbug to me.
Pro Tip 2/3Implies Dishonesty
'Humbug' suggests that someone is being intentionally dishonest, not just mistaken.
His explanation was utter humbug; he knew it wasn't true.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Association
Often associated with themes of fakery or charlatanism in cultural works, such as in literature.
The character was a humbug, fooling the whole town.
Pro Tip 1/3Skepticism Required
Use 'humbug' to express doubt about someone's honesty or the truth of a situation.
His charity work seems like humbug to me.
Pro Tip 2/3Implies Dishonesty
'Humbug' suggests that someone is being intentionally dishonest, not just mistaken.
His explanation was utter humbug; he knew it wasn't true.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Association
Often associated with themes of fakery or charlatanism in cultural works, such as in literature.
The character was a humbug, fooling the whole town.
Pro Tip 1/3Skepticism Required
Use 'humbug' to express doubt about someone's honesty or the truth of a situation.
His charity work seems like humbug to me.
Pro Tip 2/3Implies Dishonesty
'Humbug' suggests that someone is being intentionally dishonest, not just mistaken.
His explanation was utter humbug; he knew it wasn't true.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Association
Often associated with themes of fakery or charlatanism in cultural works, such as in literature.
The character was a humbug, fooling the whole town.
Never forget "Humbug"
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Video examples
Safari Live - Day 31 PIPE...
I like to root your pride I like the Paradise pride now a lot of you are going to probably disagree with me about who my favorite male coalition of lions is I know a lot of you are probably going Musketeers Musketeers Musketeers and I go bah humbug Musketeers I'm a bullish sucker man so I think those six
Video examples
Dive with Giant Manta...
studying the fascinating species or live in these waters for over thinking provision kilo is a perfect example of what a healthy ocean looks like as well as it all feeds on mantas we get humbug
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 31 PIPE...
I like to root your pride I like the Paradise pride now a lot of you are going to probably disagree with me about who my favorite male coalition of lions is I know a lot of you are probably going Musketeers Musketeers Musketeers and I go bah humbug Musketeers I'm a bullish sucker man so I think those six
Video examples
Dive with Giant Manta...
studying the fascinating species or live in these waters for over thinking provision kilo is a perfect example of what a healthy ocean looks like as well as it all feeds on mantas we get humbug
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Barkha Dutt
Indian Journalist
Even those of us who do not understand the nuances of economics have come to accept that reform cannot be bloodless. We are often impatient with the predictable, do-gooder campaigns against development. We argue passionately against the humbug protests of those who never want the poor to get rich.
Quote examples
Jack LaLanne
American Athlete
You don't have to call it God or Jesus. That's religious humbug to a lot of people, but you've gotta believe that nature and spiritual things surround us. That is what put us here! I thank the universe for that every day of my life.
Quote examples
Edouard Manet
French Artist
There is only one true thing: instantly paint what you see. When you've got it, you've got it. When you haven't, you begin again. All the rest is humbug.
Quote examples
Desmond Tutu
South African Leader
Children are a wonderful gift. They have an extraordinary capacity to see into the heart of things and to expose sham and humbug for what they are.
Quote examples
Alan K. Simpson
American Politician
An educated man is thoroughly inoculated against humbug, thinks for himself and tries to give his thoughts, in speech or on paper, some style.
Quote examples
Max Frisch
Swiss Novelist
Either marriage is a destiny, I believe, or there is no sense in it at all, it's a piece of humbug.
Quote examples
Carole King
American Songwriter
Sensitive, humbug. Everybody thinks I'm sensitive. Wait until they hear my new album.
Quote examples
Edmond de Goncourt
French Writer
People don't like the true and simple; they like fairy tales and humbug.
Quote examples
Alfred Nobel
Swedish Scientist
Second to agriculture, humbug is the biggest industry of our age.
Quote examples
William Tecumseh Sherman
American Soldier
The voice of the people is the voice of humbug.
Quote examples
Barkha Dutt
Indian Journalist
Even those of us who do not understand the nuances of economics have come to accept that reform cannot be bloodless. We are often impatient with the predictable, do-gooder campaigns against development. We argue passionately against the humbug protests of those who never want the poor to get rich.
Quote examples
Jack LaLanne
American Athlete
You don't have to call it God or Jesus. That's religious humbug to a lot of people, but you've gotta believe that nature and spiritual things surround us. That is what put us here! I thank the universe for that every day of my life.
Quote examples
Edouard Manet
French Artist
There is only one true thing: instantly paint what you see. When you've got it, you've got it. When you haven't, you begin again. All the rest is humbug.
Quote examples
Desmond Tutu
South African Leader
Children are a wonderful gift. They have an extraordinary capacity to see into the heart of things and to expose sham and humbug for what they are.
Quote examples
Alan K. Simpson
American Politician
An educated man is thoroughly inoculated against humbug, thinks for himself and tries to give his thoughts, in speech or on paper, some style.
Quote examples
Max Frisch
Swiss Novelist
Either marriage is a destiny, I believe, or there is no sense in it at all, it's a piece of humbug.
Quote examples
Carole King
American Songwriter
Sensitive, humbug. Everybody thinks I'm sensitive. Wait until they hear my new album.
Quote examples
Edmond de Goncourt
French Writer
People don't like the true and simple; they like fairy tales and humbug.
Quote examples
Alfred Nobel
Swedish Scientist
Second to agriculture, humbug is the biggest industry of our age.
Quote examples
William Tecumseh Sherman
American Soldier
The voice of the people is the voice of humbug.
Example 1 of 10
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