roorback

American  

[roor-bak] / ˈrʊərˌbæk /

Or roorbach

noun

1. a false and more or less damaging report circulated for political effect, usually about a candidate seeking an office.

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roorback British  

/ ˈrʊəˌbæk /

noun

1. a false or distorted report or account, used to obtain political advantage

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Etymology

Origin of roorback

An Americanism first recorded in 1844, after a fictitious Baron von Roorback, in whose travelogue occurred an account of an incident damaging to the character of James K. Polk

Example Sentences

The last notable roorback* in U.S. history had been the forgery of a James A. Garfield letter in 1880.

From Time Magazine Archive

The Digest spiked the story as "an oldfashioned roorback," denied that any voter had asked to change his vote.

From Time Magazine Archive

Last week as a Washington grand jury pursued its investigation it was clear to everybody that "The Hopkins Letter" was indeed a roorback.

From Time Magazine Archive

His latest encounter with a roorback was well nigh fatal.

From Time Magazine Archive

"Baffled sleuth—discovery by husband—shots—kicked down steps—divorce case summons in the morning—you see the whole roorback has come my way."

From The Henchman by Luther, Mark Lee