canard
kuh-NARD
/kəˈnɑːrd/
An unfounded rumor or story; a fabricated report.
A canard is a deliberate hoax or false story, often spread by the media or political opponents to mislead the public.
The story behind the word. Canard is the French word for 'duck'. It originates from the French idiom 'vendre des canards à moitié' (to half-sell ducks), meaning to cheat or deceive. By the 19th century, French journalists began using 'canard' to refer to a fabricated or hoax news story.
Word relationships
- hoax: A hoax is an active deception or practical joke, while a canard is specifically a false report or rumor that gains traction.
- verified fact: A verified fact is proven to be true, whereas a canard is entirely fabricated.
Commonly confused with
- myth: A myth is a traditional story or widely held false belief, while a canard is often a malicious or deliberately fabricated news story.
Word family
- canards (noun): Plural form of canard.
Collocations
- old canard
- popular canard
- expose a canard
Example sentences
- "The old canard that humans use only ten percent of their brains has been thoroughly debunked by modern neuroscience." Scientific debate
Memory hook
Think of a 'canard' as a 'quack' story told by a fake doctor. A quack story about a duck.
When not to use
Do not use canard to describe a simple mistake or a harmless, accidental rumor.
Fun facts
- In aviation, 'canard' also refers to a small winglike stabilizer wing placed at the front of an aircraft, so named because it resembled a duck in flight.
Related words
Explore more words
disinformation, propaganda, unsubstantiated, misinformation, fabricate, deceitful
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