# Definition of Humbug explained — The Humbugs of the World > Chapter companion for The Humbugs of the World by P. T. Barnum. ## What happens Barnum defines 'humbug' as showmanship and attention-grabbing without necessarily implying dishonesty, distinguishing it from swindling or imposture. He illustrates this with examples: Warren's blacking advertising on the pyramids, Genin the hatter's famous hat purchase, and his own attempt to send the first message over the Atlantic Telegraph. He then recounts the story of Monsieur Gosling, the great blacking-maker, whose flamboyant advertising in 1830s New York made him a fortune, which he later lost and regained. ## Themes in this chapter ### Definition and Nature of Humbug Barnum provides his own definition of humbug as showmanship and attention-grabbing without deceit, contrasting it with swindling and imposture. ### Advertising and Showmanship Detailed examples of flamboyant advertising: Gosling's blacking campaign, Warren's pyramid inscription, and Genin's hat auction. ### Gullibility and Human Nature The public's fascination with spectacle and notoriety is exploited by advertisers, yet Barnum argues that honest humbug can succeed if the product is good. ## Character check-ins ### Mr. Barnum Author and narrator; defines humbug and recounts his own attempt to send the first Atlantic Telegraph message. ### Mr. Leonard Gosling Monsieur Gosling, the great French blacking-maker; his spectacular advertising campaign in New York in 1830 is described in detail. ### Genin The hatter who bought the first Jenny Lind concert ticket for $225, gaining immense notoriety. ### Warren London blacking-maker who advertised on the pyramids of Egypt, a classic example of humbug. ## Key lines > Webster says that humbug, as a noun, is an 'imposition under fair pretences;' and as a verb, it is 'to deceive; to impose on.' With all due deference to Doctor Webster, I submit that, according to present usage, this is not the only, nor even the generally accepted definition of that term. Barnum argues that the common understanding of 'humbug' is broader than Webster's dictionary definition, which implies fraud. _Barnum redefines humbug for his own purposes, separating it from outright deception._ > An honest man who thus arrests public attention will be called a 'humbug,' but he is not a swindler or an impostor. A person can be a humbug simply by using flashy methods to attract attention, without being dishonest. _Barnum's key distinction: humbug is about spectacle, not cheating._ > When the great blacking-maker of London dispatched his agent to Egypt to write on the pyramids of Ghiza, in huge letters, 'Buy Warren's Blacking, 30 Strand, London,' he was not 'cheating' travelers upon the Nile. His blacking was really a superior article, and well worth the price charged for it, but he was 'humbugging' the public by this queer way of arresting attention. Warren's pyramid advertising was a clever stunt that got people talking, not a fraud, because his product was good. _Example of successful humbug: outrageous advertising combined with quality goods._ > When the tickets for Jenny Lind's first concert in America were sold at auction, several businessmen, aspiring to notoriety, 'bid high' for the first ticket. It was finally knocked down to 'Genin, the hatter,' for $225. Genin gained fame by paying a high price for the first Jenny Lind concert ticket, which brought him enormous publicity. _Another case of humbug: using a public auction to gain notoriety._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/ii - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters