all rumors are true

English

Etymology

First use appears c. 1862. See cite below.

Phrase

all rumors are true

1. (humorous) A rumor is usually not unfounded.
   • 1862, Frank Moore (editor), The Rebellion Record - A Diary of American Events, with Documents, Narratives, Illustrative Incidents, Poetry, Etc., Volume 2, page 381:

     ...a precedent which, if all rumors are true, ought to be followed out in the case of the late fight or panic.

   • 1882, Moses Thurston Runnels, Annals, page 288:

     If all rumors are true, the spirit of alcohol has also had much to do with the witchcraft believed to have been practised in some portions of the town, and especially on one occasion in the near vicinity of Clark's Corner!

   • 2000, Reed E. Hundt, You Say You Want a Revolution - A Story of Information Age Politics, page 220:

     "In Washington and Hollywood all rumors are true," Blair responded.

Related terms

• with a grain of salt
• where there's smoke, there's fire