Canard
/kəˈnɑrd/
nounC1
Definition
A canard is a statement or story that is not true but is spread as if it is true. It is often used to describe rumors or false news that mislead people. The word usually refers to something deliberately untrue rather than a simple mistake.
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See It in Action
A false or misleading story or rumor
- •The politician denied the canard that he was involved in corruption.
- •Many canards about the new technology spread on social media.
- •The article was full of canards designed to scare readers.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "canard" like "lie" (A1 word), but it is often a story that spreads widely and tricks many people.
- ✓Picture a newspaper headline that looks real but tells a made-up story.
- ✓It's the feeling you get when you hear a rumor that sounds strange but some people believe it anyway.
- ✓Sounds like "can-ARD" → imagine a duck ("canard" means duck in French) telling a story that is not true, like a "duck tale" that fools people.
- ✓In stories or movies, canards are like false clues that confuse characters.
- ✓NOT like "fact" (true information) — a canard is always false.
- ✓NOT like "mistake" (accidental wrong) — a canard is often made to deceive.
- ✓NOT like "joke" (funny and not serious) — a canard is serious but untrue, meant to mislead.
Try Other Words
- •Rumor: a story that may not be true (Use when the false story is spread by people talking)
- •Falsehood: something that is not true (Use when emphasizing the untrue nature)
- •Myth: a traditional or popular story that is not true (Use when the story is widely believed but false)
- •Fabrication: a made-up story or lie (Use when the story is completely invented)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (none clearly separable in English; borrowed whole)
- •Etymology: From French "canard" meaning "duck"; used in English to mean a false story, possibly from a French expression meaning "to give a duck" (to deceive)
- •Historical development: Entered English in the 19th century to describe false reports or hoaxes
- •Modern usage: Used mainly in formal or literary contexts to describe false stories or rumors that mislead people
- •Interesting fact: The literal meaning is "duck" in French, but in English it means a false story
Reflect & Connect
•Why do you think some false stories (canards) spread more easily than true ones?
•How can knowing the word "canard" help you identify false information in news or social media?
Fill in the blanks
1.The politician denied the canard that he had ___ in illegal activities.
2.Many canards spread quickly because people ___ them without checking the facts.
3.A canard is different from a simple mistake because it is told to ___ people.
4.People often spread canards to ___ others or create confusion.
5.Unlike a joke, a canard is meant to be taken ___, even though it is false.
6.When you hear a canard, it is important to ___ the information before believing it.
7.The newspaper was accused of publishing a canard to ___ public opinion.