roorback

noun

roor·​back ˈru̇r-ˌbak How to pronounce roorback (audio)
: a defamatory falsehood published for political effect

Word History

Etymology

from an attack on James K. Polk in 1844 purporting to quote from an invented book by a Baron von Roorback

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of roorback was in 1855

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near roorback

Cite this Entry

“Roorback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roorback. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!