To expose the falseness or hollowness of a myth, idea, or belief by revealing the truth. It involves systematically dismantling false claims through evidence and reasoning.
Coined in the 1920s by American writer William Woodward, combining 'de-' (removal) with 'bunk' (nonsense, from 'bunkum,' named after Buncombe County, NC, whose congressman made meaningless speeches). Originally American slang that became standard.
Think of 'de-' + 'junk' - you're removing the junk (false ideas) to reveal the truth! Mythbusters TV show was all about debunking popular myths through scientific testing.
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