Idiom: Bah! Humbug!
Meaning: An expression used to show a negative attitude or disgust about the Christmas season. This expression was made famous by the fictional character Ebinizer Scrooge in the Charles Dickens novel 'A Christmas Carol.'
Context: Watch the following video and read along. Donald Duck is trying to wish his uncle, Ebinizer Scrooge, a Merry Christmas. But his uncle really hates Christmas and wants it to be just a regular day.
Scrooge: It’s just another work day and any jackanapes* who thinks else should be boiled in his own pudding!
Donald: Ohhhhh!!
Mickey: But sir, Christmas is a time for giving. A time to be with one’s family.
Scrooge: I say, “Bah! Humbug!”
Donald: I don’t care! I say, “Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!”
Mickey: Well said, Master Fritz! (clapping his hands)
Scrooge: Cratchit (name of Mickey)! What are you doing?
Mickey: Ah, ha ha, I was just trying to keep my hands warm, sir.
Scrooge: Humph! And what are you doing here, nephew?
Donald: I’ve come to give you a wreath and invite you to Christmas dinner.
Scrooge: Well, I suppose you are going to have plump goose with chestnut dressing?
Donald: Yep!
Scrooge: And will you have plumb pudding and lemon sauce?
Donald: Yah, by golly!
Scrooge: And candied fruit with spice sugar cakes?
Donald: Yah! Will you come?
Scrooge: Are you daft**, man! You know I can’t eat that stuff! Here’s your wreath back. Now out, out, out!!!
Donald: Ahhhhhh!
Scrooge: Bah! Humbug!
Donald: (opens the door, puts the wreath on the door knob) Merry Christmas!!
Scrooge: And a bah, humbug to you!
*Jacknape: Someone unimportant but disrespectful in manner
**Daft: Silly or Foolish
Explanation:In this scene, Donald Duck is trying to wish his uncle a Merry Christmas, but his uncle response “bah, humbug,” an expression of disgust about the Christmas season. Instead, he rejects his nephew’s Christmas dinner invitation and gift and throws him out of the office. When Donald comes back and tries one more time to say “Merry Christmas,” his uncles responds with bah, humbug, instead of a Christmas greeting.
