Re:Internet Explorer is evil (1996)
by Lammy on Tuesday March 09, 2021 @11:58AM
(#26400741)
Please forgive my pedantry, but the suffix `-oid` means `-like`, i.e. not a fact. I should start calling minor-facts "factlets" lol https://www.thefreedictionary.com/Diminutive+suffix
[ Parent
| on HN ]
> A factoid is either a false statement presented as a fact, or a true but brief or trivial item of news or information.
Keep scrolling! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Factoid#Versus_factlet
Re:Internet Explorer is evil (1996)
by NoSorryCannot on Tuesday March 09, 2021 @01:37PM
(#26402014)
The proverbial ship had sailed on this one. Factlet would be a conspicuous alternative.
Favor the meaning people actually use and let the history of factoid be an interesting factoid.
In UK English usage I'd say it means a "minor fact". Compare planetoid, meteoroid, for other examples of -oid being used specifically to indicate a diminutive or minor form of something.
You can possibly blame Steve Wright, Radio 2 talk show host/DJ for popularising the term with that meaning in the UK.