Apparently, that's what legions of us had in mind when -- humbug!

CNN: The horror! Tweets from Netflix's Christmas outage

Mr Martin, who says he has owned lurchers for 18 years, wants Humbug to have a vasectomy rather than having the testicles removed completely.

BBC: Humbug the lurcher

His memoir is subtitled "The complete antidote to political humbug" and is very entertaining, although one or two details are less than 100 per cent accurate.

BBC: Voting: it's not as easy as it looks

And in this season of goodwill, perhaps the level of bitterness with which they are received may say more about the "Bah, humbug" attitude of the recipient, says Ms James.

BBC: Why are round-robin letters so annoying?

For the struggle, still not over, by newspapers and broadcasters to fill acres of newsprint and hours of programming has led to the world's greatest ever glut of hyperbole and humbug.

ECONOMIST: The people��s monarchy

I'm not asking for pious humbug and smarmy reverence.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Indeed, the global currency debate is full of humbug.

WSJ: There's a Feeling of Instability Bubbling Up

For those who take a less "bah humbug" view, the young Scottish actor's family has been interviewed, assuring us that Lewis is really as thoughtful as the lad in the ad.

BBC: Ad breakdown: The John Lewis Christmas ad

But the Europeans had no monopoly on humbug.

ECONOMIST: Global warming

Now we read humbug every day.

FORBES: Backseat Driver