Canular

Canular is a French noun meaning a hoax, prank, or fabricated story intended to mislead or amuse. In modern usage, a canular may be a false rumor, a staged event, or a prank circulated as news. The phrase faire un canular refers to the act of organizing or perpetrating such a hoax, while the term canular itself denotes the hoax or prank being perpetrated. Canulars are commonly spread through word of mouth, social media, or media outlets and they often rely on sensational claims or plausible but false details to provoke reaction.

Canulars are typically identified and debunked by journalists and fact-checkers who trace the story to its source and verify claims. They can range from lighthearted jokes to misinformation with potentially harmful consequences, particularly when they involve public figures or public safety. The phenomenon highlights the challenges of information verification in the digital age, where rapid sharing can outpace careful scrutiny and context.

In English usage, canular is a loanword that appears primarily in Francophone contexts or discussions about French media; in general, English speakers prefer terms like hoax or prank. When encountered in English, canular usually signals a reference to a French-language hoax or to a discussion of French media practices.

See also: Hoax, Fake news, Urban legend.