anecdote

[/ˈænɪkdoʊt/]
nounfemininepl: anecdotes
anedota
1. A short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person
The professor told an anecdote about his travels in Japan during the lecture.
O professor contou uma anedota sobre suas viagens no Japão durante a aula.
2. A brief account of some interesting or humorous incident, often told as an illustration
She shared an anecdote about her grandmother's cooking mishap.
Ela compartilhou uma anedota sobre o erro de culinária de sua avó.
3. In medical or scientific contexts, a single case report or observation (often considered less rigorous than statistical data)
The doctor warned against relying on anecdote rather than clinical trials.
O médico alertou contra confiar em anedota em vez de ensaios clínicos.
In Brazilian culture, anecdotes (anedotas) are a cherished part of social interaction, particularly in informal gatherings and family settings. Brazilians often use anedotas to illustrate points, entertain guests, or build connections. In American English, the term is frequently used to caution against relying on personal stories rather than empirical data, especially in scientific or medical discussions. The phrase 'anecdotal evidence' has become popular in critical discourse about the reliability of personal accounts versus statistical evidence.
NYC Slang
war story or funny story
Synonyms / Sinônimos
storytaleyarnnarrativeaccountanecdotal evidence
Antonyms / Antônimos
factstatisticdataevidence

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
anedota
Standard usage, commonly used in casual conversation and formal contexts
Rio de Janeiro
anedota
Same as general Brazilian; sometimes paired with 'caso' or 'história engraçada'
São Paulo
anedota
Standard usage; business and academic contexts prefer this formal term
Portugal
anedota
Identical usage; equally common in Portuguese as in Brazilian Portuguese

Related Words

anecdotalstorytellingnarrativereminiscencehumorousmemoir

Related Idioms & Phrases

anecdotal evidence
tell an anecdote
a funny anecdote
swap anecdotes
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