gerucht

Gerucht is a noun in Dutch and German that refers to information or a story that circulates without confirmation, i.e., a rumor or hearsay. In Dutch, the word is gerucht; in German the corresponding form is Gerücht. Both terms describe unverified claims about people, organizations, or events and can spread through conversation, media, or online platforms. The concept is closely tied to the idea of reputation and to the social dynamics of persuasion and mistrust.

In usage, Dutch phrases include het gerucht gaat (the rumor goes around...), een gerucht verspreiden (to spread a rumor), and geruchten (the plural). German usage includes Es geht ein Gerücht um (a rumor is going around...), Gerüchteküche (rumor mill), and Gerüchte verbreiten (to spread rumors). The terms are generally neutral in definition but can carry negative connotations, especially when false claims damage someone's reputation.

Etymology is of Germanic origin, with cognates in related languages; the words reflect historical patterns of spoken information transfer. Across languages, rumors are a common subject in journalism, law, and social discourse, often raising questions about evidence, reliability, and harm.

See also: rumor, hearsay, gossip, Gerüchteküche, Gerücht.