hoax

A hoax is a deliberate deception designed to appear true. It is typically intended to mislead others for humor, financial gain, political influence, or social manipulation. Unlike fictional stories, a hoax seeks to pass as factual information.

The term encompasses artifacts like forged documents, fabricated photographs, falsified scientific claims, or staged events—often spread through media and social networks. Hoaxes can spread quickly through repetition, especially when they tap into existing biases or emotions.

Famous examples include the Great Moon Hoax articles (1835) about life on the Moon, the Spaghetti Tree hoax (1957) by the BBC, and Piltdown Man (early 20th century) later revealed as a fraud. The 1938 radio adaptation of The War of the Worlds, though fiction, led some listeners to believe an actual invasion was underway, highlighting how hoaxes can exploit plausibility and media reach.

Hoaxes differ from misinformation (unintentional false information) and disinformation (intentional false information) in intent. Verification, source checking, and critical media literacy are primary defenses against hoaxes, along with responsible reporting and fact-checking.

Hoaxing has a long history in journalism, science, and entertainment, and remains a recurring challenge in the information environment of the digital age.