canard

Canard is a term with multiple meanings in English and French. It can denote a duck or its meat, a wing configuration in aircraft, a false or misleading news item, or a dish in French cuisine.

Etymology: The word derives from the French canard, meaning duck. The aviation sense is a metaphorical use, likening the forward wing to the shape of a duck’s bill and its placement ahead of the main wing.

In aviation: A canard is a small forewing mounted forward of the main wing. It provides lift and influences pitch control, contributing to maneuverability and improved stall characteristics. Canard configurations arise in close-coupled forms and other layouts; they require careful design to ensure stability and control. Modern examples include aircraft such as the Dassault Rafale and the Eurofighter Typhoon, which use movable canards as part of a three-surface or close-coupled arrangement.

In cuisine: Canard is the French word for duck and appears in dish names such as canard à l’orange or confit de canard, representing the duck meat prepared in various French regional traditions; the term can be used internationally for duck preparations.

In journalism and popular usage: A canard is a false or deliberately misleading news item or rumor. The term is used to classify stories that are later found to be untrue or exaggerated.