[This word—a portmanteau blending of “anecdote” and “data”–can be used in a neutral sense or in a disparaging sense. The former is when it refers to simply presenting anecdotal evidence based on personal experience or observation and the latter is when the anecdotal evidence is used to suggest that that it is a broadly applicable fact. An example of both is given.]
[Q: Our cat throws up about once a week. What can we do about this? A:] Based on anecdata from cat owners I have known, a cat’s food can cause frequent upset in our feline friends. (Jolie Kerr, “How to Clean the Most Common Cat Messes,” The New York Times, 11/-07/2018.)
Once upon a time, going to a cinema was the best way to experience seeing a film. … This is, simply put, not the case any longer. At the risk of resorting to anecdata, I’d like to relate a couple of stories [about movies I recently went to see] and how they tie into larger exhibition issue. (Sonny Bunch, “Hollywood May Blame Movie Theatres For Poor Ticket Sales,” The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 09/29/2017.)
This word, when used in the above sense, can also be a synonym for argument, data, conclusion, or opinion.
Leave a Reply