In Australia, a rumor, false report, or absurd story is referred to as a furphy. In the early 1900's, a firm from Shepparton, Victoria, J. Furphy and Sons Pty. Ltd. manufactured water and sanitary carts used in World War I. The name "Furphy" was written on the side of the carts. Where does this all tie in? The drivers of the carts where known for being prime sources for gossip and other preposterious yet undeniably interesting pieces of news.