furphy

Noun

A rumour, or an erroneous or improbable story.

Origin / Etymology

From Furphy (“a surname”).
The firm of Furphy and Sons (still in business today) manufactured and supplied water carts to the Australian Imperial Force in Egypt during World War I. Soldiers stood around these and talked, exchanging rumours and news. The manufacturer's name, which was emblazoned on the carts, was soon adopted for unreliable information or speculation.

Synonyms

scuttlebutt

Scrabble Score: 17

furphy is not valid in Scrabble (US) TWL Dictionary
furphy is not valid in Scrabble (MW) Merriam-Webster Dictionary
furphy is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 17

furphy is a valid Words With Friends word