From the Washington State University errors page (love it) a little information about the oft used term “factoid,” which is used quite frequently in this election coverage:
The “-oid” ending in English is normally added to a word to indicate
that an item is not the real thing. A humanoid is not quite human.
Originally “factoid” was an ironic term indicating that the “fact” being
offered was not actually factual. However, CNN and other sources have
taken to treating the “-oid” as if it were a mere diminutive, and using
the term to mean “trivial but true fact.” As a result, the definition of
“factoid” is hopelessly confused and it’s probably better to avoid using
the term altogether.
Now you know!
[On a side note, “betcha” is obviously not a word either…]
