9 January 2013

factoid

[fak-toid]
noun
1. an insignificant or trivial fact.
2. something fictitious or unsubstantiated that is presented as fact, devised especially to gain publicity and accepted because of constant repetition.

Origin:
1973; fact + -oid

Related forms
fac·toi·dal, adjective.

Example sentence:

This website provides some fascinating factoids.

Today’s aphorism

‘When my cats aren’t happy, I’m not happy. Not because I care about their mood but because I know they’re just sitting there thinking up ways to get even’.

– Percy Bysshe Shelley

On this day

9 January 1324 – death of Marco Polo, Italian explorer. Born 15 September 1254.