Possible Clues:

• False report an eccentric put about
• False rumour in article penned by joker, for example
• Bird given new tail? False rumour
• Name half hidden in communication that's false
• A false rumour or story
• Eccentric accepts an ill-founded rumour
• A false rumour or story, from France
• Hoax
• A false rumour, originally French
• False rumour or story, from France