Abe Vigoda Syndrome 

When the same lie is told so many times that no one believes it when it's actually true. See also: The Boy Who Cried Wolf.

Abe Vigoda Syndrome refers to the actor of the same name, who became a giant running joke in the 1980's after he was falsely reported dead. TWICE. And that was just the beginning. He was falsely reported dead dozens of times in the years that followed. The Internet even made a website entirely dedicated to reporting if Vigoda was living or deceased. Numerous comedians poked fun at the death rumors. Vigoda himself even got in on it upon occasion. "I'm still alive, you pinhead!"

When Vigoda ACTUALLY died in January 2016 at the age of 94, several articles reporting his death actually had to leave disclaimers highlighted in bold that it was "not a hoax." They really couldn't risk people thinking it was a joke.

Abe Vigoda Syndrome by Ubeenbamboozledson October 7, 2021