Chester.
_Humbug_ (Vol. vii., p. 550.).--A recent number of Miller's _Fly Leaves_
makes the following hazardous assertion as to the origin and derivation of
the term _Humbug_:
"This, now common expression, is a corruption of the word Hamburgh, and
originated in the following manner:--During a period when war prevailed
on the Continent, so many false reports and lying bulletins were
fabricated at Hamburgh, that at length, when any one would signify his
disbelief of a statement, he would say, 'You had that from Hamburgh;'
and thus, 'That is Hamburgh,' or _Humbug_, became a common expression
of incredulity."
With all my credulity, I cannot help fancying that this bit of specious
_humbug_ is a _leetle_ too far-fetched.