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Impostor vs Humbug - What's the difference?

impostor | humbug |

As nouns the difference between impostor and humbug

is that impostor is someone who attempts to deceive by using an assumed name or identity while humbug is a hoax, prank or jest.

As an interjection humbug is

nonsense!.

As a verb humbug is

to play a trick on.

impostor

English

(wikipedia impostor)

Alternative forms

* imposter * impostour (obsolete)

Noun

(en noun)
  • Someone who attempts to deceive by using an assumed name or identity.
  • *

    • Synonyms

    * impersonator * See also

    humbug

    English

    Noun

    (wikipedia humbug) (en noun)
  • A hoax, prank or jest
  • A fraud or sham
  • A fraudster or cheat
  • * 1903 , , Act III:
  • *:He means that he has sold out to the parliamentary humbugs and the bourgeoisie. Compromise! that is his faith.
  • (British) A type of chewy sweet (candy)

    • Interjection

    (en interjection)
  • nonsense!
  • * 1843 , ,
    • ‘A Merry Christmas, uncle! God save you!’ cried a cheerful voice. It was the voice of Scrooge’s nephew, who came upon him so quickly that this was the first intimation he had of his approach.
    ‘Bah!’ said Scrooge, ‘Humbug !’

    Verb

  • To play a trick on.
  • To cheat, swindle.

    • Derived terms

    * humbugger * humbuggery

    Usage notes

    * The spellings (humbuging) and (humbuged) exist, but are not nearly so common as (humbugging) and (humbugged).

    References

    * OED 2nd edition 1989 * * ----