Lots of people think it means "a small fact" rather than "fact-like". Lots of people are incorrect.DoomRater wrote:Quick unrelated nitpick but since when did factoid mean fact?
There is a radio show in the UK that regularly broadcasts a number of "factoids" which people then quote as if they were true. Of course, such people have missed the point that these resemble facts but are not necessarily correct factual information. I think the main reason for the word being used by the show is a bit of a get-out by the show and gives the presenters a change to spout spurious, ignorant comments on the given subject (which they do) without ever really claiming what they are saying is actually factual. It's a light hearted segment in a light hearted show BTW, nothing serious. I guess the "fact" part of the word is recognised and understood by most people versus the less recognised, less understood "oid".
I suppose something like "factette" is closer to the intended meaning in this thread. (Factette is not recognised by all dictionaries.)