Lost stories aside, the expression led to the use of canard, the French word for "duck," to refer to a hoax or fabrication. English speakers adopted this canard in the mid-1800s.

CANARD definition: a false or baseless, usually derogatory story, report, or rumor. See examples of canard used in a sentence.

Jan 17, 2026 · The primary English meaning of canard comes from the Medieval French expression “vendre un canard à moitié”, which literally means “to sell half a duck” or “to half-sell a duck”.

Define canard. canard synonyms, canard pronunciation, canard translation, English dictionary definition of canard. n. 1. An unfounded or false, deliberately misleading story.

CANARD definition: 1. a false report or piece of information that is intended to deceive people 2. a false report or…. Learn more.

A canard is an idea or a piece of information that is false, especially one that is spread deliberately in order to harm someone or their work. The charge that Harding was a political stooge may be a …

Definition of canard noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.