Meaning:
Both “忽” and “悠” here refers to a state of mind that is unstable and bemuddled. A term from Northeast China’s dialects, this term is used as a verb to mean “beguile” or “entrap.” In those dialects, it can also be used as a noun referring to people who are not honest and tend to brag. The term became known by people across China after it was used in a standup comedy show by Zhao Benshan and Fan Wei at the CCTV Spring Festival gala in 2001. Not as serious as “deceit” or “fraud,” this term is sometimes using jokingly between friends.
Example:
A: 小丽让我传话给你，今晚九点在操场后面的小树林等你。
Xiǎolì ràng wǒ chuánhuà gěi nǐ, jīnwǎn jǐudiǎn zài cāochǎng hòumiàn de xiǎo shùlín děng nǐ。
Xiao Li asked me to tell you that she will be waiting for you in the woods behind the playground at 9 this evening.
B: 真的吗？你可别忽悠我。
Zhēn de ma？ Nǐ kě bié hūyōu wǒ。
Really? Don’t fool me, dude.
(First editor: Debra Li)