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Humbugs

Posted by Hbx on October 6, 2008, 10:23 pm

Humbug is an interesting word. The OED is really puzzled by it. It says ‘humbug’ is ‘a slang or cant word which came into vogue c1750.’ It goes on to say:

‘Many guesses at the possible derivation of humbug have been made; but as with other and more recent words of similar introduction, the facts as to its origin appear to have been lost, even before the word became common enough to excite attention. Cf. the following:
1751 (Jan.) Student II. 41 There is a word very much in vogue with the people of taste and fashion, which though it has not even the ‘penumbra’ of a meaning, yet makes up the sum total of the wit, sense and judgement of the aforesaid people of taste and fashion!..I will venture to affirm that this Humbug is neither an English word, nor a derivative from any other language. It is indeed a blackguard sound, made use of by most people of distinction! It is a fine, make-weight in conversation, and some great men deceive themselves so egregiously as to think they mean something by it!

This blackguard of a word became the name of a sweetmeat in the early nineteenth century – at least according to the OED again. It is mentioned as being ‘in common use in Gloucestershire’ in 1825. I’ll bet there are earlier references somewhere.

The old foodie

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Humbugs - Hbx October 6, 2008, 10:23 pm
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--Previous Message-- : Humbug is an interesting word. The OED is : really puzzled by it. It says ‘humbug’ is ‘a : slang or cant word which came into vogue : c1750.’ It goes on to say: : : ‘Many guesses at the possible derivation of : humbug have been made; but as with other and : more recent words of similar introduction, : the facts as to its origin appear to have : been lost, even before the word became : common enough to excite attention. Cf. the : following: : 1751 (Jan.) Student II. 41 There is a word : very much in vogue with the people of taste : and fashion, which though it has not even : the ‘penumbra’ of a meaning, yet makes up : the sum total of the wit, sense and : judgement of the aforesaid people of taste : and fashion!..I will venture to affirm that : this Humbug is neither an English word, nor : a derivative from any other language. It is : indeed a blackguard sound, made use of by : most people of distinction! It is a fine, : make-weight in conversation, and some great : men deceive themselves so egregiously as to : think they mean something by it! : : This blackguard of a word became the name of : a sweetmeat in the early nineteenth century : – at least according to the OED again. It is : mentioned as being ‘in common use in : Gloucestershire’ in 1825. I’ll bet there are : earlier references somewhere. : : : : : : : : The old foodie : :

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