humbug

 
Pronunciation: /ˈhʌmbʌg/

noun

  • 1 [mass noun] deceptive or false talk or behaviour: his comments are sheer humbug
  • [count noun] a hypocrite: you see what a humbug I am
  • 2British a boiled sweet, especially one flavoured with peppermint.

verb (humbugs, humbugging, humbugged)

[with object]
  • deceive; trick: poor Dave is easily humbugged
  • [no object] dated act like a fraud: she was always ready to help him, provided he didn’t humbug

Derivatives

humbuggery

noun

Origin:

mid 18th century (in the senses 'hoax, trick' and 'deceiver'): of unknown origin