canard

Where does the word "canard" come from? It comes from French canard, passing through French before entering English (1850s).

Canard’s story begins in French: canard meant “duck.” A duck, from the old verb 'caner', to cackle. Within French, it grew into canard by 1700s. From the saying 'vendre un canard à moitié', to half-sell a duck, i.e. to swindle, it came to mean a hoax or false news. It reached English by 1850s as canard. Borrowed in journalism for a false report. Today, canard means an unfounded rumour or false story.

1. Stage 1 · French · medieval canard "duck", a duck, from the old verb 'caner', to cackle.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1700s canard "hoax", from the saying 'vendre un canard à moitié', to half-sell a duck, i.e. to swindle, it came to mean a hoax or false news.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1850s canard "false rumour", borrowed in journalism for a false report.