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Hoaxing Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐ŸŽญ
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hoaxing

[หˆhลksing ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

deceptive act

Hoaxing refers to the act of tricking or deceiving someone into believing something that is not true. It often involves creating false narratives or experiences that are presented as real. Hoaxes can be conducted for various reasons, such as to entertain, to provoke, to mislead, or to generate publicity.

Synonyms

deceiving, fooling, misleading, tricking.

Examples of usage

  • The prankster enjoyed hoaxing his friends.
  • The online hoaxing spread misinformation widely.
  • She was tired of hoaxing people for fun.
  • The media was criticized for hoaxing viewers with sensational stories.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'hoaxing'

The term 'hoax' originates from the early 19th century, believed to be a playful alteration of the word 'hocus,' which itself traces back to 'hocus pocus,' a phrase associated with conjurers and tricksters. The concept of a hoax has been a part of human storytelling and deception for centuries, reflecting societal fascination with the absurd and the unreal. As communication evolved, especially with the rise of the internet, hoaxes became more prevalent and sophisticated, often utilizing social media to gain traction. The practice of hoaxing taps into human psychology, exploiting trust and curiosity. Various infamous hoaxes throughout history, from fraudulent news stories to elaborate scams, have cemented the term 'hoax' in popular culture and language, highlighting humanityโ€™s ongoing dance with truth and deception.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,809, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.