Words & TermsEveryday life
furphy
Also: furphies
A rumour, false report or improbable story.
In a sentence
The rumour about the bridge closure turned out to be a furphy.
Where it came from
Furphy comes from J. Furphy & Sons water carts, whose name was visible at army camps. Soldiers’ gossip around the carts gave rise to the word, first recorded in 1915.
- First recorded
- 1915
- Initial era
- 1900–1949
- Where used
- Australia-wide