misattributions
Falsely assigned origins
Misattributions are instances of crediting something to the wrong source.
A quotation misattributed to Einstein may have been said by someone else entirely—or no one at all.
The internet is full of misattributions.
The term applies to art, writing, ideas, or any creative work assigned to the wrong creator.
Mistaking where memory came from
- secondary sourceWork analyzing original materials
- provenanceRecord of ownership
- authenticationConfirming genuine identity
- verificationProving something accurate
fact-checking · peer review · correction · retraction · erratum · corrigendum · debunking
Wrongly recognizing something
- misdiagnosisIncorrect identification of ailment
- misinterpretationIncorrect understanding of meaning
- confusionMental disorientation or bewilderment
- inaccuracyLack of precision
mistake · misjudgment · misconception · misunderstanding · distortion · mislabeling · misreading · faulty
Writing anonymously for others
- uncreditedNot formally recognized
- apocryphalUnverified and probably untrue
- pseudonymousUsing a false name
- false claimsUntrue statements presented as fact
Unverified and probably untrue
- misquotationInaccurate rendering of speech
- urban legendUnverified viral story
- founding fathersMale originators of institutions
- WikiquoteCollaborative quotation compendium
Creating fraudulent imitations
- authenticationConfirming genuine identity
- provenanceRecord of ownership
- connoisseurshipRefined evaluative expertise
- art fraudDeception involving fake works
fake · pastiche · attributed to · after · reattribution
source confusion
Mistaking where memory came from
- secondary sourceWork analyzing original materials
- provenanceRecord of ownership
- authenticationConfirming genuine identity
verification · fact-checking · peer review · correction · retraction · erratum · corrigendum · debunking
misidentification
Wrongly recognizing something
- misdiagnosisIncorrect identification of ailment
- misinterpretationIncorrect understanding of meaning
- confusionMental disorientation or bewilderment
inaccuracy · mistake · misjudgment · misconception · misunderstanding · distortion · mislabeling · misreading · faulty · incorrect
ghostwriting
Writing anonymously for others
- uncreditedNot formally recognized
- apocryphalUnverified and probably untrue
- pseudonymousUsing a false name
apocryphal
Unverified and probably untrue
- misquotationInaccurate rendering of speech
- urban legendUnverified viral story
- founding fathersMale originators of institutions
forgery
Creating fraudulent imitations
- authenticationConfirming genuine identity
- provenanceRecord of ownership
- connoisseurshipRefined evaluative expertise
art fraud · fake · pastiche · attributed to · after · reattribution
- Misquotesmiswordings, false attributions
- Mistakes & Liesmistakes, lies, errors, error, mistake
- thinking errorsad hominem, straw man, slippery slope, confirmation bias, sunk cost fallacy