A surgeon this week told me he's finally chosen a new city to move to, amongst several offers, because he was "humbled" by the huge salary they were offering. It seemed like an odd use of the word "humble."
I looked it up and discovered the term "humblebragging," coined by a comedian. https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/humblebrag
And a funny article from the LA times poking fun at all this false modesty.
"These days it's code for 'something great has happened to me and I want you to feel jealous while also believing I'm totally deserving.' In other words, humble is the new smug."
And I realized that this was one instance where Wikipedia is much better than traditional dictionaries, because it can pick up on recent trends, and provide plenty of examples and references.
-Tom
Wiktionary
(usually qualifying a first-person pronoun) Grateful for the support of others, touched; honored, flattered.
2014 September 24, "Web Access... Simon Pegg / Edgar Wright" BBC Online:JJ: Are you humbled by such positive reactions from such a wide spectrum of people, from George A Romero to Harry Knowles?SP: Absolutely. Yeah, it's wonderful. ... We're very humbled and very pleased.
2014 November 4, John Boehner Statement by Speaker Boehner On Outlook For The 114th Congress: We are humbled by the responsibility the American people have placed with us, but this is not a time for celebration.
2015 May, C. Joyce Hall "Humbled and Honored" ABA Health eSource Vol. 11 No. 9: I cannot adequately express my sincere thanks to the Section leaders who saw fit to take a chance on me and ask me to get involved in leadership in the Section. Thank you for being excellent role models. I am honored and humbled to serve.
2015 September 12, 'HONORED AND HUMBLED' ESPINOZA TO RECEIVE LAFFIT PINCAY, JR. AWARD Paulick Report: "Anytime I win an award of any kind I am honored and humbled," Espinoza said.
2010 February 1, Tom Hagan 'I am humbled by these people' National Catholic Reporter: They would continue to suffer greatly but they have a strength that is remarkable. I am humbled by them and privileged to be with them.
Usage notes
The use of such forms as "I am humbled" in victory speeches and the like has been criticised as an oxymoron given the meaning of the verb humble. It indicates modesty via a sense of unworthiness of the honor, or surprise at one's success; humility rather than humiliation. See also humblebrag.[1][2]
References
^ The Grammarphobia Blog "A humbling victory?"January 4th, 2013
^ Meghan Daum "Humbletalk: It's just another way to say 'smug'" LA Times December 26, 2013
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