Humbuggery

Humbuggery

See also Fraudulence, Trickery.

Barnum, P. T.

(1810–1891) circus owner whose sideshows were sometimes fraudulent; wrote Humbugs of the World. [Am. Hist.: NCE, 234]

Bilko, Sergeant

bunco artist extraordinaire. [TV: “You’ll Never Get Rich” in Terrace II, 452–453]

Face

cunning butler, sets up scam in master’s absence. [Br. Lit.: The Alchemist]

Mandeville

supposed author of an exaggerated travelogue. [Br. Lit.: Voyage of Sir John Mandeville, Harvey, 511]

Subtle

charlatan, posing as alchemist, bilks hapless victims. [Br. Lit.: The Alchemist]

Wizard of Oz

false wizard takes up residence in Emerald City. [Am. Lit.: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz]

Allusions—Cultural, Literary, Biblical, and Historical: A Thematic Dictionary. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.