alternative fact

• alt-fact^[1]

This term gained prominence after it was used by Kellyanne Conway in January 2017 and widely repeated in the US media.^[2][3][4]

• Audio (US):

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• Audio (UK):

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alternative fact (plural alternative facts)

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see alternative,‎ fact.

   That Newton was an empirical scientist is a fact. An alternative fact is that he was an alchemist.

3. (politics, media) Something presented as a fact for reasons of political expediency; a fiction, a falsehood, a lie. [since the late 2010s]
   • 2017 February 25, R. E. Guyson Mayers, “A GUY"S VIEW: Season of discontent”, in Barbados Advocate:

     They are creating their own facts, but one need not be in Government to create alternative facts.

   • 2017 March 3, “Private Sydney: Celebrities quick to present their own 'alternative facts'”, in The Sydney Morning Herald:

     According to Donald Trump we live in an era of "fake news" where his "alternative facts" should be swallowed whole, and without scrutiny.

   • 2017 March 3, Chantal Hébert, “It's not just Donald Trump who shifts the truth, Canada's politicians have been using alternative facts for years”, in Toronto Star:

     Prime ministers have not been immune to spreading alternative facts.

   • 2017 May 30, Moe! Ninja Girls, Japan: NTT Solmare, iOS, Android, scene: Season 6, Chapter 6:

     ― Secretary: Now, I did not mislead you. That was merely an alternative fact.

   • 2018 March 26, “Association of Herpes Viral Infections, Antiherpetic Therapy, and Dementia: Real or Alternative Fact?”, in Neurotherapeutics, volume 15, →DOI, pages 415–416:

     Association of Herpes Viral Infections, Antiherpetic Therapy, and Dementia: Real or Alternative Fact?

   Synonyms: counterfact, counterknowledge; see also Thesaurus:lie

• post-truth

• Merriam-Webster, "Conway: 'Alternative Facts'" (22 January 2017)
• alternative fact on Wikipedia.Wikipedia