Buncombe etymology

Etymology:

The word "buncombe" is believed to have originated in the 19th century United States, specifically in Buncombe County, North Carolina.

Meaning:

Buncombe means:

• Empty talk or meaningless flattery
• Grandiose or pompous speech
• Exaggerated or nonsensical statements

Origin:

The most widely accepted theory for the origin of the term is that it came from a speech given by a Congressman from Buncombe County named Felix Walker in 1820.

According to the story, Walker gave a long and rambling speech on the House floor in which he made many outrageous and unsubstantiated claims. His fellow Congressmen, annoyed by his hollow words, began shouting "Buncombe!" at him, meaning that his speech was intended only to impress his constituents back home.

The term quickly gained popularity and became synonymous with empty or meaningless rhetoric.

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