Pseudoscience
/ˌsuːdoʊˈsaɪəns/noun
A system of ideas or practices that claims to be scientific but lacks proper evidence or follows scientific methods.
Did you know?The first element comes from Greek *pseudes* (“false”), the same root behind words like *pseudo-* and the ancient idea of deliberate deception, while *science* ultimately comes from Latin *scientia* (“knowledge”).
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Gk
pseudes
“false, lying, deceitful”
Latin
Lat
scientia
“knowledge, understanding”
Late Latin
Lat
pseudo- scientia
“false knowledge”
19th Century
English
pseudoscience
“claims or practices presented as science but not actually scientific”
Modern English
English
pseudoscience
“a body of ideas that imitates science without valid methods or evidence”
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