What it doesn't mean
The term was first used in the 1890s, a time of sensational newspaper stories. What changed in 2016–17 was how often it was used, and the new habit of using it as an accusation.
The American Dialect Society defined two senses in 2017: falsehoods presented as real news, and real news that someone claims is untrue. Most arguments about the term are really about the second sense.
What it really means
Fake news has two meanings, and they pull in opposite directions.
The first is the one in Collins's definition: "false, often sensational, information disseminated under the guise of news reporting". In this sense, fake news is a made-up story dressed up to look like journalism. The second is an accusation: real reporting dismissed as "fake news" by the person it embarrasses. The American Dialect Society recorded both when it voted fake news its Word of the Year for 2017: "disinformation or falsehoods presented as real news" and "actual news that is claimed to be untrue."
Collins chose it the same year and announced on 2 November 2017. Its reasons were the numbers and how hard the term was to avoid. Use of fake news had risen 365% since 2016. Helen Newstead, Collins's head of language content, said the term had been "inescapable" that year, whether used as a statement of fact or as an accusation. She added that it had helped undermine society's trust in news reporting. With a new US president and a snap general election in the UK, she said, it was no surprise that politics kept charging up the language. Collins's shortlist that year also included echo chamber, antifa and Corbynmania.
Collins's etymology notes give the timeline. During the 2016 US presidential campaign, commentators noticed how many websites were broadcasting false stories about the candidates under the guise of news. Then, in January 2017, Donald Trump dismissed CNN's reports about his alleged links with Russia as "fake news". Claims that damaging stories were fake, and inquiries into how such stories spread, were a major part of the news agenda for the rest of the year.
The phrase is much older than that. It was in use by the 1890s, when sensational newspaper reporting was common. What 2016 and 2017 added was how often it was used, and the accusing sense.
Where it comes from
- 1890s
The term 'fake news' is first used, at a time of sensational newspaper reporting.
- 2016
During the US presidential campaign, commentators notice large numbers of websites spreading false stories about the candidates under the guise of news.
- January 2017
Donald Trump dismisses CNN's reports about his alleged links with Russia as 'fake news', and the accusing use takes off.
- 2 November 2017
Collins names fake news its Word of the Year 2017, reporting a 365% rise in use since 2016.
- 2017 vote
The American Dialect Society also names fake news its Word of the Year for 2017, defining both senses.
In real life
- The story about the town banning Christmas lights was fake news. The council had only moved the switch-on to a different weekend.
- Whenever the paper published something critical, the mayor's office called it fake news, though it never said which part was false.
- Before sharing a shocking headline, she checked whether any reliable outlet was reporting it too. Fake news tends to travel alone.
Questions
Q01What does fake news mean?
Collins defines it as 'false, often sensational, information disseminated under the guise of news reporting'. It is also used as an accusation against genuine reporting that someone dislikes.
Q02Why was fake news the 2017 Word of the Year?
Collins reported a 365% rise in use since 2016. Its head of language content said the term had been 'inescapable', whether as a statement of fact or as an accusation, and that it was undermining society's trust in news reporting. The American Dialect Society chose it for 2017 too.
Q03Who first said fake news?
No single person. The term was in use by the 1890s. It became much more common during the 2016 US election, and Donald Trump's frequent use of it as an accusation from January 2017 onwards spread it further.
Q04Is fake news the same as misinformation?
They overlap. Dictionary.com, which made misinformation its Word of the Year for 2018, defines it as false information that is spread, regardless of whether there is intent to mislead. Fake news is false information dressed up as news reporting.
Sources
- Collins 2017 Word of the Year Shortlist. Collins Dictionary Language Blog (2 November 2017).
- Etymology Corner: Collins Word of the Year 2017. Collins Dictionary Language Blog.
- 'Fake news' named Collins Dictionary's official Word of the Year for 2017. The Independent (2 November 2017).
- All of the Words of the Year, 1990 to present (2017: fake news): American Dialect Society.
- Fake news: Wikipedia.
- Why 'Misinformation' Was Dictionary.com's 2018 Word Of The Year.