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Thu 28 Apr, 2005 02:27 am
I have always wondered why the French for "slander" or "calumny" is "canard". Why is a slander a duck? Anybody out there know?
- and is the title of the French satirical periodical Le Canard Enchaine in any way connected?
There is an obsolete expression in French, vendre un canard à moitié, "to half sell a duck," which means to swindle. That is the likely origin of the usage which means, simply, a lie. Haven't a clue about your magazine title, though.
I knew your expression, Setanta. Old one!
Let me give you some useful links :
Canard
Le Canard Enchaîné
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