Buncombe
/ˈbʌŋkəm/noun
Empty, insincere, or inflated talk.
Did you know?Buncombe became famous after a U.S. congressman’s dramatic 1820 speech in Buncombe County, North Carolina, was said to be pure showmanship, and the word later spawned the shorter form "bunk."
Etymological Timeline
Early 19th Century
English
Buncombe
“A term for empty political speech or showy nonsense, originally linked to Buncombe County, North Carolina.”
1820s
American English
Buncombe
“Political claptrap or a speech made for appearances rather than substance.”
1830s
English
bunkum
“A variant spelling used for nonsense talk, especially in politics.”
Late 19th Century
English
bunk
“Shortened form meaning nonsense, humbug, or foolish talk.”
Modern English
English
buncombe
“Archaic or humorous term for empty, insincere, or exaggerated speech.”