Etymology Map
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Canard

3 stages from French to English.

Today it means an unfounded rumour or false story

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
canard
French · medieval
"duck"
a duck, from the old verb 'caner', to cackle
2
Stage 2 of 3
canard
French · 1700s
"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 of 3
canard
English · 1850s
"false rumour"
borrowed in journalism for a false report
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Read the full story

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.