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Fauxnomenon 

A fake (faux) phenomenon, usually picked up on by the news-media, using bogus or highly unusual anecdotes to construct a false 'trend'.

Media outlets from the New York Times to Fox News absolutely love these, because they fill column space and news time, anyone can comment on them / write them and appear informed without actual research or investigative work, and they make for 'sexy' stories.

Common features of fauxnomenon stories include: Teens, sex, drugs, teens and sex, teens and drugs, teens and sex and drugs.

These types of fauxnomenon stories are often called 'moral panic' stories.
Mom: "Hey there honey, you haven't been going to Rainbow Parties, have you? It's where girls all get different colors of lipstick, and then they blow every boy at the party until their penises look like rainbows! I know kids are doing it these days because I saw it on Fox and CNN and Oprah, and I'm worried. They wouldn't put it on TV if it weren't true."

Daughter: "Mom, that's just a fauxnomenon! It's designed to play on your fear of teen sex and drum up ratings."

Mom: "Really?"

Daughter: "Yeah. That jenkem thing is totally legit, though."
Fauxnomenon by Televangelist June 3, 2009
Related Words

Funnomenom 

(adj.)
Used to describe something that is fun and also of the nomnom nature. Usually relating to something that is eaten or drunk.
This Mountain Dew Voltage is so delicious, it's like a funnomenom in my mouth!

funomenal 

When something is both phenomenal and fun.
Last night was funomenal!
funomenal by Britpopbrill June 17, 2013

finomenon 

An interesting/amazing fact or performance regarding our scaly gill-breathing underwater-inhabiting friends.
I've never heard of an instance of flying fish's forming large "flocks" in the air, but if they did, that would certainly be an amazing finomenon to watch.
finomenon by QuacksO April 19, 2021

fanomenon 

An extra-impressive performance of either a motorized air-blower or a dedicated audience-member.
I smilingly asked the local church pianist to autograph the cassette-cards of some recordings I'd made of his lovely keyboard-performances; he'd had no idea that his humble playing would be such a fanomenon.
fanomenon by QuacksO January 13, 2025

Fenomeno 

An Italian word, literally meaning "Phenomenon"
In colloquial contexts, it may be used as a way to say genius or freak.
1) Sei un fenomeno!

2) Lascialo perdere, è l'ennesimo fenomeno
Fenomeno by Ohrtheon Luxfulgor December 5, 2022