Humbox Patterer, subs. (common).—A parson. For synonyms, see Devil
Dodger and Sky Pilot.
1839. G. W. M. Reynolds, Pickwick Abroad, p. 223. Though the humbox
patterer talked of hell.
Humbug, subs. (old: now recognised).—1. A hoax; an imposture; a
swindle.
1735–40. Killigrew, The Universal Jester; or a pocket companion for
the Wits: being a choice collection of merry conceits, facetious
drolleries, &c., clenchers, closers, closures, bon-mots, and
Humbugs. [Title].
1754. Connoisseur. No. 14. Single words, indeed, now and then broke
forth; such as—odious, horrible, detestable, shocking, humbug. This
last new-coined expression, which is only to be found in the
nonsensical vocabulary, sounds absurd and disagreeable whenever it
is pronounced.
1762. Churchill, The Ghost, bk. I., line 72. And that Great Saint,
we Whitefield call, Keeps up the Humbug Spiritual.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1828. Webster, Eng. Dict., s.v.