FACTOID - An Apparently Misunderstood Word

[Bounce]

Favtoid: An assumption or speculation that is reported and repeated so often that it becomes accepted as fact.

So a FACTOID is something assumed to be a fact but which isn't.

The next time you hear or read someone use the word when they meant "small fact", take the time to help them not perpetuate the error.

 

[Ignacio]

Favtoid: An assumption or speculation that is reported and repeated so often that it becomes accepted as fact.

So a FACTOID is something assumed to be a fact but which isn't.

The next time you hear or read someone use the word when they meant "small fact", take the time to help them not perpetuate the error.

Other than it being spelled oddly in the first use...good to know Bounce. I clearly didn't know that's what the word actually meant. I appreciate when people endeavor to use the denotation of words and don't assume connotations are best. Thanks for the schooling!

 

[wfooshee]

Is this what you call PUBLIC school?????

 

[Tyler]

Seems to be the mostly correct definition although #5 here has an interesting connotation...

5. factoidan alternative way of expressing the somewhat offensive term ******** in polite company
"hey! factoid! put down my sandwich!"

 

[Pterodactyl]

I had factoids, but Preparation H cleared them right up.

You made me curious so I looked factoid up on two online dictionaries. In both cases they listed your definition as the second usage. The first usage listed was in one case: "a brief or trivial item of news or information", and in the other dictionary the first usage is: an insignificant or trivial fact.

And that is your factoid of the day.

 

[mcatrophy]

The next time you hear or read someone use the word when they meant "small fact", take the time to help them not perpetuate the error.

Does this mean I'm allowed to correct forum posters who use words incorrectly?

Please?

Pretty please???

• its, it's;
• your, you're;
• there, their, they're;
• two, too, to;
• road, rode;
• ...

And grammar?

(I already occasionally sneakily alter stuff inside quotes, but don't tell anyone.)

 

[1maxman]

Is there a test after this? I need to study!

 

[Geezer]

So a factoid is actually a facturd.

 

[mcatrophy]

The next time you hear or read someone use the word when they meant "small fact", take the time to help them not perpetuate the error.

Does this mean I'm allowed to correct forum posters who use words incorrectly?

Please?

Pretty please???

• its, it's;
• your, you're;
• there, their, they're;
• two, too, to;
• road, rode;
• ...

And grammar?

(I already occasionally sneakily alter stuff inside quotes, but don't tell anyone.)

Looks like I have a following

.

 

[Spud]

Fact = True

Factoid = Not True

Hem = Stitched Down

Hemorrhoid = Falling Out

So,

Fact is to Factoid as Hem is to Hemorrhoid

Good to know....

 

[Pterodactyl]

This was a test. Had this been an actual post it would have been somewhat less interesting.

 

[Pterodactyl]

The next time you hear or read someone use the word when they meant "small fact", take the time to help them not perpetuate the error.

Does this mean I'm allowed to correct forum posters who use words incorrectly?

Please?

Pretty please???

• its, it's;
• your, you're;
• there, their, they're;
• two, too, to;
• road, rode;
• ...

And grammar?

(I already occasionally sneakily alter stuff inside quotes, but don't tell anyone.)

Looks like I have a following

.

It's the bia a$$ badge you're wearing....

 

[wheatonFJR]

Is this a pointless thread? Just asking. If not, I'll post more so I can add to the Forum knowledge base.

 

[mcatrophy]

...It's the bia big a$$ed badge you're wearing....

Fixed it for you .

 

[Intech]

...It's the bia big a$$ed badge you're wearing....

Fixed it for you

.

Oh Snap!

 

[rogdeb]

...It's the bia big a$$ed badge you're wearing....

Fixed it for you

.

Oh Snap!

LOL !

 

[Pterodactyl]

He wears the badge for a reason.

 

[mcatrophy]

Seems my following is increasing ...

 

[Pterodactyl]

Remember, Barney Fife wore a badge and he had a big following too.