canards

Canard is a term with multiple meanings in English. In French, canard simply means duck. In English usage, it most commonly denotes two things: a claim or story that is false or misleading, and a technical term in aviation for a forward wing arrangement. The aviation sense is linked to the French word by metaphor, the forward surface resembling a duck’s bill in appearance.

An aircraft with a canard has a forewing placed ahead of the main wing. This can improve pitch control, lift at high angles of attack, and maneuverability; it can also reduce takeoff and landing distances. Canards may be fixed in place or movable as separate surfaces that adjust during flight. They are used in both military fighters and some civilian designs, notably the Dassault Rafale and the Eurofighter Typhoon, with earlier examples such as the Saab 37 Viggen illustrating the concept.

Canard in journalism refers to a false or deliberately misleading report. The term, borrowed from the French canard meaning duck, became established in English to describe hoaxes or misreported stories. It is sometimes used in media analysis and fact-checking to distinguish verified reporting from unfounded rumors.

Overall, canard reflects both a linguistic origin and distinct technical uses, spanning language, aviation design, and journalism.