anecdata

[ an-ik-dey-tuh, -dat-uh, -dah-tuh ]

noun

1. anecdotal evidence based on personal observations or opinions, random investigations, etc., but presented as fact:

   biased arguments supported by anecdata.

Word History and Origins

Origin of anecdata¹

First recorded in 1990–95; anec(dotal) + data

Example Sentences

Uber, whose business spans ride hailing and food delivery, won’t say how much it’s paid out, but the anecdata suggest it’s a lot.

From Los Angeles Times

There are, however, plenty of worrying signs — studio executives refused to agree not to use AI that would displace writers, in a sticking point in the ongoing writers’ strike, for one — and ample anecdata in the form of all those Twitter threads about workers getting the boot in favor of ChatGPT.

From Los Angeles Times

This may be anecdata, I realize, but I’ve seen more and more people saying what a pleasure it is to watch this show every week.

From New York Times

But while the number of draft-eligible men among the exodus of Russians is unknown, anecdata certainly suggests that the people leaving skew male.

From Slate

Of course, all this could be perceived as anecdata of lucky breaks.

From Slate