Which text uses the word factoid in its traditional sense?
The Summerfield Daily Mail was forced to issue a retraction after printing a factoid about Summerfield's founder. It turned out that the reporter had written the article based on local legend rather than researching the actual history. A reporter for the Summerfield Daily Mail dug up an amusing factoid about Summerfield's founder while researching for an article about the town's early years.
Words change in meaning when speakers begin using them in new ways. For example, the word peruse once only meant to examine in detail, but it's now also commonly used to mean to look through in a casual manner.
When a word changes in meaning, its correct usage is often debated. Although a newer sense of the word may be more commonly used, many people consider a word's traditional definition to be the correct usage. Being able to distinguish the different uses of a word can help you use it appropriately for different audiences.
Britney perused her notes, carefully preparing for her exam.
The traditional usage above is considered more standard.
David perused the magazine, absentmindedly flipping through the pages.
The nontraditional usage above is now commonly used, but traditional style guides generally advise against it.
The second text uses factoid in its traditional sense: something made up presented as a true fact.
The Summerfield Daily Mail was forced to issue a retraction after printing a factoid about Summerfield's founder. It turned out that the reporter had written the article based on local legend rather than researching the actual history.
The first text uses factoid in its nontraditional sense: a trivial but true fact.
A reporter for the Summerfield Daily Mail dug up an amusing factoid about Summerfield's founder while researching for an article about the town's early years.
Most style guides recommend to use the traditional sense of the word factoid because it is considered more standard.