humbug

Go ahead — try to call humbug on that.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 12, 2026

Spoto’s work is not fully dismissed, but he’s often thought of as something of an academic humbug.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026

"Raising money and going for valuation every few days is all humbug."

From BBC ● Mar. 10, 2024

If holiday clutter has you more bah humbug than merry, these tips from professional organizers around Seattle might make your life easier before and after the holidays, and well into the new year.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 15, 2023

Dat caution you talkin’ ’bout ain’t nothin’ but uh humbug.

From "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston

“He used these humbugs, as he called them, to create excitement and bring people in,” Wilson says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 25, 2026

Joined by his wife Katie, he plunges into another assignment, as he tries to get the "spirit of Christmas" back from the dastardly humbugs.

From BBC ● Nov. 13, 2024

In Poe’s lifetime, a handful of well-connected American scientists advanced plans to build national institutions to distinguish “real working men in the way of science” from charlatans, quacks, and humbugs.

From Slate ● Aug. 2, 2021

Heroic detective, pilot, poet, magician and victor over all bullies and humbugs, animal or human, Freddy remains a model to us all.

From New York Times ● Mar. 12, 2020

Most demons thought that the Wrights were humbugs.

From "Dragonwings" by Laurence Yep

“Because,” he added, “Although I ain’t been in the city long, I ain’t to be humbugged; it won’t do for you to try to put off your confounded mock turtles on me!”

From Slate ● Apr. 29, 2018

P. T. Barnum recorded the fact that the American people delight in being humbugged, and such is still the national mood.

From Time Magazine Archive

The sooner America knows we are not going to be humbugged the better it is.

From Time Magazine Archive

Well, it don’t much matter, I’ve no fear for Nigel; he’s not the sort to be humbugged by her blandishments, like that hot-headed simpleton, Hal.

From The Finger of Fate A Romance by Mayne Reid

The world is beginning to see how it has been humbugged, and it is becoming indifferent.

From Is The Bible Worth Reading And Other Essays by L. K. (Lemuel Kelley) Washburn

Stranded in his "useless position" at Transport, Reith seethed while Churchill put together his "rotten" wartime coalition full of "humbugging and sycophantic" ministers.

From Time Magazine Archive

"They 'll say I 'm humbugging this old lady," was the constant self-reproach he kept repeating.

From The Martins Of Cro' Martin, Vol. I (of II) by Charles James Lever

Hullo!" he said, swaggering up to the orchestra, "what's this humbugging thing they're playing?

From Some Experiences of an Irish R.M. by Martin Ross

Faith, I'd swap soon enough if you weren't humbugging me.

From Where There is Nothing Being Volume I of Plays for an Irish Theatre by W. B. (William Butler) Yeats

Now, look here, and don't let there be any mistake about it, I'm not going to have this impudent old man humbugging about with me, so don't let anyone think it.

From Miss Arnott's Marriage by Richard Marsh