thirdhand information

[/θɜːrdˌhænd ɪnˈfɔːrmeɪʃən/]
nounpl: thirdhand information (uncountable)
informação de terceira mão
1. Information that has been passed through at least three people before reaching you, making it increasingly unreliable and potentially distorted from the original source
I heard thirdhand information that the company was planning layoffs, so I'm not sure if it's accurate.
Ouvi informação de terceira mão que a empresa planejava demissões, então não tenho certeza se é precisa.
2. Indirect or hearsay knowledge obtained through multiple intermediaries rather than from a direct or primary source
The journalist refused to publish the story because it was only thirdhand information without proper verification.
O jornalista recusou publicar a história porque era apenas informação de terceira mão sem verificação adequada.
In both Brazilian and American cultures, thirdhand information is generally viewed with skepticism and considered unreliable in professional or journalistic contexts. In Brazil, there's a cultural tendency toward extensive social networks and information-sharing, making thirdhand information particularly common in informal settings. In the USA, especially in corporate and media environments, thirdhand information is actively discouraged in favor of source verification and fact-checking.
NYC Slang
It's like... four people removed from the truth, ya know?
Synonyms / Sinônimos
hearsayrumorgossipindirect informationsecondhand knowledgeunverified report
Antonyms / Antônimos
firsthand informationprimary sourcedirect knowledgeverified informationeyewitness account

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
informação de terceira mão
Standard usage throughout Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
fofoca de terceira mão
More colloquial; emphasizes gossip element
São Paulo
informação de terceira mão / boato
Common in business context; 'boato' emphasizes unreliability
Portugal
informação de terceira mão
Same as Brazilian Portuguese; formal usage preferred

Related Words

secondhand informationhearsayrumor millChinese whisperscredibilitysource verification

Related Idioms & Phrases

play telephone
talk through the grapevine
hear it through the grapevine
Chinese whispers
lost in translation
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