Fake facts for kids

Have you ever heard something that wasn't true, or seen a copy of something that looked real? The word fake means something that is not real, true, or original. It's often made to look like the real thing, but it's meant to trick people.

Sometimes, people create fakes on purpose to mislead others. This can happen in many different ways, from stories to objects.

What Does "Fake" Mean?

When we talk about something being fake, we usually mean it's a copy or a lie. Here are some ways the word "fake" is used:

Deception and Tricks

• Deception: This is when someone tries to make you believe something that isn't true. It's like playing a trick on someone.
• Counterfeit: A counterfeit item is a fake copy of something valuable, like money, designer clothes, or famous paintings. These fakes are made to look exactly like the real thing to trick people into buying them.
• Decoy: A decoy is something used to distract or trick someone. For example, a hunter might use a fake duck to attract real ducks.
• Fake news: This is information that looks like real news but is actually made up. It's spread to trick people, often online, and can be hard to tell apart from real news.
• Hoax: A hoax is a trick or a joke meant to fool people. It could be a fake story, a made-up event, or even a prank call.
• Illusion: An illusion is something that seems different from what it really is. It tricks your senses, like when a drawing looks 3D on a flat page.
• Replica: A replica is a copy of an item. Unlike a counterfeit, a replica is usually not made to trick people. For example, a museum might have a replica of an ancient statue.

Fake in Arts and Entertainment

The word "fake" also appears in the titles of many creative works.

Movies Called "The Fake" or "Fake"

Several movies have used "Fake" in their titles. These films often explore themes of deception, mistaken identity, or things that are not what they seem.

• The Fake (1927 film): A silent British movie.
• The Fake (1953 film): Another British film.
• Fake (2003 film): A movie from Thailand.
• The Fake (2013 film): A South Korean animated film.

Music with "Fake" in the Name

The word "fake" has also inspired many musicians.

Bands

• Fake: A Swedish band from the 1980s.
• Fake?: A rock band from Japan.

Songs and Albums

Many songs and albums are titled "Fake." These often talk about feelings of not being real, or about people who are not genuine.

• Fake: An album by the band Adorable.
• "Fake": A song by Ai from 2010.
• "Fake": A song by Alexander O'Neal from 1987.
• "Fake": A song by Simply Red from 2003.
• "Fake": A song by the band Korn from their 1994 album.
• "Fake": A song by the band Mötley Crüe.

Other Arts and Media

• Fake: A popular Japanese comic book series.
• Fake book: In music, a "fake book" is a collection of musical notes and chords. Musicians use them to quickly learn and play songs. It's called a "fake book" because it gives you enough information to "fake" playing the song, even if you don't have the full sheet music.
• The Fake: A play written in 1924 by Frederick Lonsdale.

See also

In Spanish: Fake para niños

• Faker (disambiguation)
• Faking (disambiguation)