Furphy... and other odd words?

[Giyana]

Blame Nogard for this thread. Furphy? Compared to "red herring"

Furphy
A `furphy`, also commonly spelled `furfie`, is Australian slang for a rumour, or an erroneous or improbable story. The word is derived from water carts made by a company established by John Furphy: `J. Furphy & Sons` of Shepparton, Victoria. Many Furphy water carts were used to take water to Australian Army personnel during World War I. The carts, with `J. Furphy & Sons` written on their tanks, became popular as gathering places where soldiers could exchange gossip, rumours and fanciful tales—much like today's water cooler discussion."

red herring:
[n] - a dried and smoked herring having a reddish color 2. [n] - any diversion intended to distract attention from the main issue.