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What does Furphy mean in slang?
Where did the phrase 'telling a furphy' come from?
Where did the phrase 'Furphies' come from?
Where did Furphy come from?
A furphy is Australian slang for an erroneous or improbable story that is claimed to be factual. Furphies are supposedly heard from reputable sources, sometimes secondhand or thirdhand, and widely believed until discounted.
Like scuttlebutt, furphy originated as a word for gossip around the 'water-cooler.' The word dates to the early-20th century when a furphy was known in Words to describe flimflammers, hucksters, and charlatans
FURPHY definition: 1. a rumour (= unofficial interesting story or piece of news that might be either true or invented…. Learn more.
Most Australian’s have heard the expression “Telling a Furphy”. But did you know, the origins of this phrase originate from our famous brand – Furphy. You see, around the time of the first world war, Australian Diggers where using our Furphy Water tanks.
Very quickly the term furphy came to mean ‘a rumour or false report, an absurd story’ — perhaps because drivers of the carts were notorious for bringing rumours into the camps, or because the conversations which took place around the cart were sources of gossip and rumour.
May 16, 2022 · There is an old Australian term which can be aptly applied to a false rumour or theory: it’s a ‘furphy’. The use of the word ‘furphy’ for misinformation can be traced to Australian soldiers in the First World War.
Sep 27, 2018 · This week, our word is furphy. Have you ever been told a false story, or spread a rumour? Then you’ve been part of a furphy. This is a fantastic word that comes from John Furphy, a manufacturer in Victoria of water carts, some of which, during World War I, were stationed near latrines for hand washing and became centres of gossip.
