canard
noun
[ kəˈnɑːd ]
• an unfounded rumour or story.
• "the old canard that LA is a cultural wasteland"
• a small winglike projection attached to an aircraft forward of the main wing to provide extra stability or control, sometimes replacing the tail.
Origin:
mid 19th century: from French, literally ‘duck’, also ‘hoax’, from Old French caner ‘to quack’.
