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Subject:Re: Factoid From:Bev Parks <bparks -at- HUACHUCA-EMH1 -dot- ARMY -dot- MIL> Date:Thu, 11 May 1995 18:22:05 MST
Paul Tarr <pwt -at- MINNIE -dot- BELL -dot- INMET -dot- COM> wrote-->
... One of my favorites is "factoid". What exactly is a
factoid? The dictionary defines the suffix oid to signify as or like
something but not the same as that something. I infer that a factoid must
be as or like a fact but not a fact! The only thing that I can think of
that is as or like a fact but not a fact is a plausible lie.
================
Per Amercian Heritage College Dictionary, copyright 1993:
factoid n. Unverified or inaccurate information that is
presented in the press as factual and is then accepted
as true because of constant repetition.
Now, isn't THAT interesting!
I will from now on view Headline News' factoids with an air of
suspicion.
=*= Beverly Parks =*= bparks -at- huachuca-emh1 -dot- army -dot- mil =*=
=*= "These opinions are mine, not my employer's." =*=
=*= =*= =*=
