pseudohistory

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

pseudo- +‎ history, coined around 1815, after New Latin pseudo-historia (since 1654 or earlier according to OED).

Noun

pseudohistory (countable and uncountable, plural pseudohistories)

  1. (derogatory) False history.
    When asked what could possibly justify their aggression, they responded with nothing but pseudohistory and mythology.
  2. (derogatory) Any work claiming to be a historical account without using established historiographical methods, especially one using personal speculation or questionable evidence without necessary care or concern for the truth.
    • 1815, Tobias George Smollett, editor, The Critical review: or, Annals of literature, volume 1, page 152:
      The contemptible trick practised by Mr. Anderson, in the first chapter of his pseudo-history, must not pass without due correction.
    • 2023 August 19, Alex Reisner, “Revealed: The Authors Whose Pirated Books Are Powering Generative AI”, in The Atlantic‎:
      Also of note: 102 pulp novels by L. Ron Hubbard, 90 books by the Young Earth creationist pastor John F. MacArthur, and multiple works of aliens-built-the-pyramids pseudo-history by Erich von Däniken.

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