humbug
(countable, slang) A cheat, fraudster, or hypocrite.
Etymology timeline
Born ~1864 · 1 year of recorded useSeen in the wild
#XFiles #randomiser Humbug. Dark comedy that the show specialised it during its imperial phase. I admire its refusal to make the carnival people nice victims. The result is everyone is a bit awful
"Bah! Humbug!" is the correct term, I guess.
Så det virker, fedt, jeg troede det var gøgl og humbug, det er det så ikke, i er godt beskyttet den vej i EU👍
Definitions
(countable, slang) A cheat, fraudster, or hypocrite.
“#XFiles #randomiser Humbug. Dark comedy that the show specialised it during its imperial phase. I admire its refusal to make the carnival people nice victims. The result is everyone is a bit awful”
— Bluesky· May 2026
Comments
(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,…
Humbug means: A hoax, jest, or prank.. It is informal slang, fine in casual speech but not suited to formal contexts. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
humbug means: A hoax, jest, or prank.. Register: very informal, slang. Suitable only for casual conversation, chat and social media. Do not use in business, academic or news writing. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.
“Så det virker, fedt, jeg troede det var gøgl og humbug, det er det så ikke, i er godt beskyttet den vej i EU👍”
— Bluesky· May 2026
Comments
(countable, slang) A fraud or sham; (uncountable) hypocrisy.
The profeſſor of the modern Humbugg, for ſuch is the polite name of this qualification, muſt either have from nature an unalterable countenance, or from art a power of commanding all its ſucceſſive variations, and preſerving it inviolabl…
“"Bah! Humbug!" is the correct term, I guess.”
— Bluesky· May 2026
Comments
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Semantically related
- humbugism83%
(dated, slang) humbug; nonsense.
- humbugism82%
A dated slang noun meaning the practice of humbug — deliberate deception, nonsense, or fraudulent talk intended to mislead or impress. Where 'humbug' is the act or the thing itself, 'humbugism' frames it as a system or philosophy, lending a mock-academic air to the idea of professional nonsense-peddling. Particularly fitting for describing the elaborate self-serving rhetoric of politicians, con artists, and anyone who has elevated the art of talking rubbish into a lifestyle.
- bambosh68%
(slang) Humbug; deceptive nonsense.