humbug
UK[ˈhʌmbʌɡ]US[ˈhʌmbʌɡ]
n
a type of hard sweet, especially one that tastes of peppermint
n
dishonest talk, writing, or behaviour that is intended to deceive people
n
a word used to describe somebody/something that you think is stupid or not true, often to show anger
v
to trick or deceive somebody
Etymology
the word 'humbug' emerged in english slang during the mid-18th century. its exact origin is obscure and debated, but it is often suggested to be a fanciful, perhaps onomatopoeic, coinage from the period, possibly blending elements like 'hum' (to deceive) and an old slang term 'bug' (a bogey or frightening thing). it initially carried the sense of a hoax or deception, famously used by charles dickens's character ebenezer scrooge to express contemptuous disbelief. from this core meaning of deceptive nonsense, it later came to denote a type of hard candy, likely through association with something insubstantial or a trivial confection.
Analysis
this word is considered a simplex. it does not break down into meaningful, productive morphemes within modern english spelling. it is a loanword of uncertain, likely slang, origin.
Examples
he dismissed the politician's promises as mere humbug.
would you like a peppermint humbug?
they managed to humbug the public into believing the story.