factoid

American  

[fak-toid] / ˈfæk tɔɪd /

noun

1. an insignificant or trivial fact.

2. something fictitious or unsubstantiated that is presented as fact, devised especially to gain publicity and accepted because of constant repetition.

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factoid British  

/ ˈfæktɔɪd /

noun

1. a piece of unreliable information believed to be true because of the way it is presented or repeated in print

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• factoidal
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of factoid

First recorded in 1973; fact + -oid

Explanation

A factoid is a small bit of information, or an idea that seems like a fact and has been repeated often but may not actually be true. Norman Mailer defines factoid in his 1973 biography of Marilyn Monroe, as “facts which have no existence before appearing in a magazine or newspaper.” There are also factoids like "Eskimos have hundreds of words for snow,” that are just repeated often and look like facts. The problem is that factoids are not always true, like that Eskimo myth. These days, in America, a factoid usually refers to a small, true fact, like a tiny bit of news.

Example Sentences

Factoid: From the word ecdysis, midcentury smart-aleck H.L.

From Washington Times • Jun. 8, 2015

Royal Factoid: Kamatari was France's first African supermodel, strutting the runway for designers like Christian Dior and Yves Saint Laurent.

From Time Magazine Archive

Royal Factoid: Michael is the last living head of state who ruled during World War II; he once lunched with Adolf Hitler.

From Time Magazine Archive

Royal Factoid: Pahlavi is trained as a fighter pilot.

From Time Magazine Archive

Royal Factoid: He was the first dethroned monarch to ever win back power in a democratic vote.

From Time Magazine Archive