Word for an idea that is often touted as true but in fact the opposite is true?












0















I'm looking for a word that describes an idea that is often held out as true or used as a rationale though in fact the opposite is true. Something like "common misconception" or "antipattern" come close, but I feel as though there's a better word I'm missing.



Examples:



"Refusing to use popular security algorithms because everyone knows how they work is a [word], since it is because everyone knows how they work that they are so safe."



Not necessarily saying I 100% agree with the following, but someone who advocates for Keto might say this:



"Trying to lose weight by cutting out fat is a [word], because replacing carbohydrates and proteins with fat allows the body to enter ketosis, which is one of the best states for losing weight."



Thanks in advance.










share|improve this question























  • A "[common] mistake", perhaps?

    – Keep these mind
    9 hours ago











  • @Keepthesemind Interesting, that does seem to fit well into those examples. I think I'm looking more for something that describes an idea than an action. Fallacy comes to mind as another word that might work.

    – Jon McClung
    8 hours ago








  • 4





    Myth? OED definition: A widespread but untrue or erroneous story or belief; a widely held misconception; a misrepresentation of the truth.

    – ermanen
    8 hours ago











  • @ermanen myth works pretty well. Thanks.

    – Jon McClung
    8 hours ago











  • Possible duplicate of What is another word for a false belief or opinion on something that people hold true and repeat because they have heard it repeated so many times?

    – Laurel
    6 hours ago
















0















I'm looking for a word that describes an idea that is often held out as true or used as a rationale though in fact the opposite is true. Something like "common misconception" or "antipattern" come close, but I feel as though there's a better word I'm missing.



Examples:



"Refusing to use popular security algorithms because everyone knows how they work is a [word], since it is because everyone knows how they work that they are so safe."



Not necessarily saying I 100% agree with the following, but someone who advocates for Keto might say this:



"Trying to lose weight by cutting out fat is a [word], because replacing carbohydrates and proteins with fat allows the body to enter ketosis, which is one of the best states for losing weight."



Thanks in advance.










share|improve this question























  • A "[common] mistake", perhaps?

    – Keep these mind
    9 hours ago











  • @Keepthesemind Interesting, that does seem to fit well into those examples. I think I'm looking more for something that describes an idea than an action. Fallacy comes to mind as another word that might work.

    – Jon McClung
    8 hours ago








  • 4





    Myth? OED definition: A widespread but untrue or erroneous story or belief; a widely held misconception; a misrepresentation of the truth.

    – ermanen
    8 hours ago











  • @ermanen myth works pretty well. Thanks.

    – Jon McClung
    8 hours ago











  • Possible duplicate of What is another word for a false belief or opinion on something that people hold true and repeat because they have heard it repeated so many times?

    – Laurel
    6 hours ago














0












0








0








I'm looking for a word that describes an idea that is often held out as true or used as a rationale though in fact the opposite is true. Something like "common misconception" or "antipattern" come close, but I feel as though there's a better word I'm missing.



Examples:



"Refusing to use popular security algorithms because everyone knows how they work is a [word], since it is because everyone knows how they work that they are so safe."



Not necessarily saying I 100% agree with the following, but someone who advocates for Keto might say this:



"Trying to lose weight by cutting out fat is a [word], because replacing carbohydrates and proteins with fat allows the body to enter ketosis, which is one of the best states for losing weight."



Thanks in advance.










share|improve this question














I'm looking for a word that describes an idea that is often held out as true or used as a rationale though in fact the opposite is true. Something like "common misconception" or "antipattern" come close, but I feel as though there's a better word I'm missing.



Examples:



"Refusing to use popular security algorithms because everyone knows how they work is a [word], since it is because everyone knows how they work that they are so safe."



Not necessarily saying I 100% agree with the following, but someone who advocates for Keto might say this:



"Trying to lose weight by cutting out fat is a [word], because replacing carbohydrates and proteins with fat allows the body to enter ketosis, which is one of the best states for losing weight."



Thanks in advance.







single-word-requests






share|improve this question













share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










asked 9 hours ago









Jon McClungJon McClung

1012




1012













  • A "[common] mistake", perhaps?

    – Keep these mind
    9 hours ago











  • @Keepthesemind Interesting, that does seem to fit well into those examples. I think I'm looking more for something that describes an idea than an action. Fallacy comes to mind as another word that might work.

    – Jon McClung
    8 hours ago








  • 4





    Myth? OED definition: A widespread but untrue or erroneous story or belief; a widely held misconception; a misrepresentation of the truth.

    – ermanen
    8 hours ago











  • @ermanen myth works pretty well. Thanks.

    – Jon McClung
    8 hours ago











  • Possible duplicate of What is another word for a false belief or opinion on something that people hold true and repeat because they have heard it repeated so many times?

    – Laurel
    6 hours ago



















  • A "[common] mistake", perhaps?

    – Keep these mind
    9 hours ago











  • @Keepthesemind Interesting, that does seem to fit well into those examples. I think I'm looking more for something that describes an idea than an action. Fallacy comes to mind as another word that might work.

    – Jon McClung
    8 hours ago








  • 4





    Myth? OED definition: A widespread but untrue or erroneous story or belief; a widely held misconception; a misrepresentation of the truth.

    – ermanen
    8 hours ago











  • @ermanen myth works pretty well. Thanks.

    – Jon McClung
    8 hours ago











  • Possible duplicate of What is another word for a false belief or opinion on something that people hold true and repeat because they have heard it repeated so many times?

    – Laurel
    6 hours ago

















A "[common] mistake", perhaps?

– Keep these mind
9 hours ago





A "[common] mistake", perhaps?

– Keep these mind
9 hours ago













@Keepthesemind Interesting, that does seem to fit well into those examples. I think I'm looking more for something that describes an idea than an action. Fallacy comes to mind as another word that might work.

– Jon McClung
8 hours ago







@Keepthesemind Interesting, that does seem to fit well into those examples. I think I'm looking more for something that describes an idea than an action. Fallacy comes to mind as another word that might work.

– Jon McClung
8 hours ago






4




4





Myth? OED definition: A widespread but untrue or erroneous story or belief; a widely held misconception; a misrepresentation of the truth.

– ermanen
8 hours ago





Myth? OED definition: A widespread but untrue or erroneous story or belief; a widely held misconception; a misrepresentation of the truth.

– ermanen
8 hours ago













@ermanen myth works pretty well. Thanks.

– Jon McClung
8 hours ago





@ermanen myth works pretty well. Thanks.

– Jon McClung
8 hours ago













Possible duplicate of What is another word for a false belief or opinion on something that people hold true and repeat because they have heard it repeated so many times?

– Laurel
6 hours ago





Possible duplicate of What is another word for a false belief or opinion on something that people hold true and repeat because they have heard it repeated so many times?

– Laurel
6 hours ago










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















1














It is a "myth" or it is "mythical".



https://www.thefreedictionary.com/myth






share|improve this answer































    -1














    The second meaning of 'Canard' as per Merriam-Webster may be a good fit.




    Canard



    1a : a false or unfounded report or story.
    especially : a fabricated report



    'The report about a conspiracy proved to be a canard'.



    b : a groundless rumor or belief



    'the widespread canard that every lawyer is dishonest'




    Though you might want to rejig your examples slightly for the best flow:




    "The idea of refusing to use popular security algorithms because everyone knows how they work is a canard, since it is precisely because everyone knows how they work that they are so safe."







    share|improve this answer























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      2 Answers
      2






      active

      oldest

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      2 Answers
      2






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes









      1














      It is a "myth" or it is "mythical".



      https://www.thefreedictionary.com/myth






      share|improve this answer




























        1














        It is a "myth" or it is "mythical".



        https://www.thefreedictionary.com/myth






        share|improve this answer


























          1












          1








          1







          It is a "myth" or it is "mythical".



          https://www.thefreedictionary.com/myth






          share|improve this answer













          It is a "myth" or it is "mythical".



          https://www.thefreedictionary.com/myth







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered 6 hours ago









          user22542user22542

          1,97839




          1,97839

























              -1














              The second meaning of 'Canard' as per Merriam-Webster may be a good fit.




              Canard



              1a : a false or unfounded report or story.
              especially : a fabricated report



              'The report about a conspiracy proved to be a canard'.



              b : a groundless rumor or belief



              'the widespread canard that every lawyer is dishonest'




              Though you might want to rejig your examples slightly for the best flow:




              "The idea of refusing to use popular security algorithms because everyone knows how they work is a canard, since it is precisely because everyone knows how they work that they are so safe."







              share|improve this answer




























                -1














                The second meaning of 'Canard' as per Merriam-Webster may be a good fit.




                Canard



                1a : a false or unfounded report or story.
                especially : a fabricated report



                'The report about a conspiracy proved to be a canard'.



                b : a groundless rumor or belief



                'the widespread canard that every lawyer is dishonest'




                Though you might want to rejig your examples slightly for the best flow:




                "The idea of refusing to use popular security algorithms because everyone knows how they work is a canard, since it is precisely because everyone knows how they work that they are so safe."







                share|improve this answer


























                  -1












                  -1








                  -1







                  The second meaning of 'Canard' as per Merriam-Webster may be a good fit.




                  Canard



                  1a : a false or unfounded report or story.
                  especially : a fabricated report



                  'The report about a conspiracy proved to be a canard'.



                  b : a groundless rumor or belief



                  'the widespread canard that every lawyer is dishonest'




                  Though you might want to rejig your examples slightly for the best flow:




                  "The idea of refusing to use popular security algorithms because everyone knows how they work is a canard, since it is precisely because everyone knows how they work that they are so safe."







                  share|improve this answer













                  The second meaning of 'Canard' as per Merriam-Webster may be a good fit.




                  Canard



                  1a : a false or unfounded report or story.
                  especially : a fabricated report



                  'The report about a conspiracy proved to be a canard'.



                  b : a groundless rumor or belief



                  'the widespread canard that every lawyer is dishonest'




                  Though you might want to rejig your examples slightly for the best flow:




                  "The idea of refusing to use popular security algorithms because everyone knows how they work is a canard, since it is precisely because everyone knows how they work that they are so safe."








                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered 8 hours ago









                  SpagirlSpagirl

                  10.7k2347




                  10.7k2347






























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