peddling rumors

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "peddling rumors" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of spreading or disseminating unverified or false information, often in a casual or informal manner. Example: "The tabloids are notorious for peddling rumors about celebrities, often without any factual basis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Peddling academic rankings is not peddling rumors about Britney Spears.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

After the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., the KGB reprised its conspiracy-theory peddling to spread rumors that the government had connived in his death.

The Washington Post

Famitsu, if you're not familiar, is probably the most respected Japanese video game magazine, and not one that peddles around cheap rumors to sell a couple extra copies.

TechCrunch

No drug peddling.

The New York Times - Magazine

There was no influence peddling.

The New York Times

We - we were peddling papers.

Cornell University

Mobile vans peddling snacks are increasingly common.

The Economist

Then again, so is peddling positives.

The New York Times - Sports

But these days many are peddling gloom.

The Economist

She is facing charges of influence peddling.

The New York Times

And they're peddling Hebrew National!

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "peddling rumors", ensure that the context clearly indicates the unverified or false nature of the information being spread. It is most effective when implying a deliberate or careless act of spreading misinformation.

Common error

Avoid using "peddling rumors" in highly formal or academic writing. More neutral phrases like "disseminating unverified information" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "peddling rumors" functions as a verb phrase with a noun, describing the action of spreading unverified or false information. As Ludwig AI explains, this refers to the act of promoting or circulating gossip or hearsay.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "peddling rumors" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe the spreading of unverified or false information. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, though its occurrence is relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. The phrase suggests the information lacks credibility and is being spread carelessly, thus carrying a negative connotation. For more formal settings, alternatives like "disseminating unverified claims" may be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spreading misinformation

This term emphasizes the misleading quality of the rumors.

propagating rumors

This suggests a deliberate effort to spread rumors.

spreading gossip

This alternative emphasizes informal and often unsubstantiated talk.

peddling speculation

Focuses on disseminating unsubstantiated guesses or conjecture.

disseminating gossip

A more formal way of saying 'spreading gossip'.

circulating falsehoods

This highlights the untruthful nature of the information being spread.

broadcasting rumors

Suggests a wide distribution of the rumors.

promoting hearsay

This focuses on unverified information received from others.

relaying unfounded stories

This emphasizes the lack of factual basis.

hawking rumors

Uses 'hawking' as a more aggressive form of 'peddling'.

FAQs

What does "peddling rumors" mean?

The phrase "peddling rumors" means spreading unverified or false information, often in a way that implies a casual or irresponsible manner. It suggests the act of promoting or circulating gossip or hearsay.

What can I say instead of "peddling rumors"?

You can use alternatives like "spreading gossip", "circulating falsehoods", or "spreading misinformation" depending on the context.

Is "peddling rumors" a formal or informal expression?

"Peddling rumors" leans towards the informal side. While understandable in most contexts, it might be better to use more formal language like "disseminating unverified claims" in academic or professional writing.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "peddling rumors"?

It's appropriate when discussing how unverified information is being casually or deliberately spread, especially in situations where the source or truthfulness is questionable. For example, "The tabloids are notorious for peddling rumors about celebrities."