apocryphal
uh-POK-ruh-fuladjMeaning widely told but probably not true
Memory hook a POCKET-FULL of tall tales. Grandpa Gus has a pocket full of tall tales: the fish as big as a boat, the bear he out-ran. Fun stories, but probably not true: they are apocryphal.
The apocryphal story says the town’s founder once out-ran a bear.
In context Every student has heard about the teacher who never gave an A, but the tale is probably apocryphal; no one can name the teacher, the school or the year.
Similar doubtful, unverified, legendary, made-up
Opposite verified, documented, confirmed
From apocrypha, old writings whose authors were doubtful, from Greek apokryphos, “hidden away.”