Origin: 1910–15; after Furphy carts water and rubbish carts manufactured by the Furphy family of Shepparton, Victoria, and used during World War I; cf. parallel semantic development of scuttlebutt
n. news; gossip; a groundless rumor; scuttlebutt. (Old. From the proper name of an Australian firm that appeared on water wagons in WWI. This source of water was used as a gathering place where gossip was exchanged. Compare to the origin of scuttlebutt. See also latrine rumor.) : I heard a furphy about you yesterday.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition. Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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[fur-fee] 
