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CANARD (the Fr. for " duck ")
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CANARD (the Fr. for " duck "), a sensational or extravagant story, a hoax or false report, especially one circulated by news-papers. This use of the word in France dates from the 17th century, and is supposed by Littre to have originated in the old expression, " vendre un canard d moitie " (to half-sell a duck) ; as it is impossible to " half-sell a duck," the phrase came to signify to take in, or to cheat.