Zeitungsente

newspaper hoax; press canard

noun TSIY-tungs-en-teh Rare

Also means

false news story

Usage Note

Zeitungsente (literally 'newspaper duck') is an idiom for a false or fabricated news story published as if true. The origin is disputed, possibly from French canard (duck, also 'false report'). It is a standard term in German media literacy and is taught in schools when discussing fake news (Falschmeldungen).

Examples

"Die vermeintliche Sensation entpuppte sich als klassische Zeitungsente."

Natural Translation

The supposed sensation turned out to be a classic press hoax.

Literal Translation

The supposed sensation revealed-itself as classic newspaper-duck.

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