Humbug

/ˈhʌmbʌɡ/ noun

Definition

Something false or a person who pretends to be something they're not; also hard candies with stripes.

Etymology

Origin unclear, possibly from 'hum' (a deception) and 'bug' (something that bothers). First appeared in English around 1751 as slang for deception or nonsense.

Kelly Says

Charles Dickens' Scrooge McDuck-like character Ebenezer Scrooge calls Christmas a 'humbug,' making the word famous—but ironically, humbug candies became a Christmas tradition anyway!

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