humbugeous

English

Etymology

From humbug +‎ -eous.

Adjective

humbugeous (comparative more humbugeous, superlative most humbugeous)

(rare) Characteristic of a humbug.
- 1844, “Robert Montgomery”, in R[ichard] H[enry] Horne, editor, A New Spirit of the Age, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers, […], page 323:
  [A]midst so much that is high-minded and sincere, there is perhaps still more that is selfish and cunning, that is, in fact, not genuine but humbugeous.
- 1861 May, “Editor’s Table”, in The Knickerbocker, or New-York Monthly Magazine, volume LVII, number 5, New York, N.Y.: J. R. Gilmore, […], page 571:
  Fussy and ‘pompious’ Tumblety Bug seemed to say with Senator Benton, when he moved the celebrated Jackson ‘Expunging Resolutions:’ ‘Solitary and alone, I set this ball in motion!’ That ‘was so,’ too: but while we pondered upon the object of the humbugeous, insectual laborer, lo! he vanished from our sight, ‘and we saw him no more.’
- 1873, Mortimer Collins, “The Rivals”, in Squire Silchester’s Whim, volume I, London: Henry S[amuel] King & Co., […], page 185:
  But of course you found the old gentleman was cracked—or half-cracked, with a touch of the humbugeous.
- a. 1874, Lewis Gaylord Clark, “[To Parke Godwin]”, in Bulletin of the New York Public Library, volume 42, New York, N.Y.: New York Public Library, published 1938, page 950:
  You will see from the enclosed that as Artemus Ward says it is “intended to be sarkastikal;” and I think it will be a “sweet boon” to such of the Post’s readers as think with me of the humbugeous matters whereof it speaks.
- 1878, “My Great Electioneering Trick”, in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, London: John and Robert Maxwell […], →OCLC, page 8:
  The oratory was, in my opinion, gassy, flowery, nonsensical; or, as the great Mr. Barnum would say, and I shall take the liberty of saying, they were “humbugeous.”