Rumor
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A rumor (Commonwealth English: rumour) is a piece of purportedly true information that circulates without substantiating evidence. The information content/payload of rumors can range from simple gossip to advanced propaganda techniques.
Classically, rumors spread form person to person by word of mouth, as in gossip. Cheap postage rates and then telepohone services fomented the pace and range of the swirling of rumors. With the advent of the Internet many rumors have started to spread via email and more recently through blogging, as also occurs with various hoaxes and urban legends.
Poets have personified rumor as an abstract demi-god-like figure, Rumor, since at least Roman times.
External links
- Urban Legends Reference Pages (http://www.snopes.com)