>attested by 1640 but originally, and in 18c. usually, in jest-books

so jest books tell lies?
George Carlin would disagree ;)

on a more serious note, I have no way to verify this yet, and I tried briefly

, and referred to the compass that was used to navigate the oceans.

Stacker Saloon

saloon

> The word **_news_** is in fact an **_acronym_** meaning **_North, East, West_** and **_South_**, and referred to the compass that was used to navigate the oceans.

[Fake news as far as I am concerned](https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=news) 👀

_or folk news_