I've recently heard a few instances of the word factoid used incorrectly when fact should have been used instead.  Apparently some individuals think that factoid is a fancy veresion of fact when it couldn't be farther from the truth:

Here's fact from Dictionary.com:

fact [fakt]
noun
1. something that actually exists; reality; truth: Your fears have no basis in fact.
2. something known to exist or to have happened: Space travel is now a fact.
3. a truth known by actual experience or observation; something known to be true: Scientists gather facts about plant growth.
4. something said to be true or supposed to have happened: The facts given by the witness are highly questionable.
5. Law. Often, facts. an actual or alleged event or circumstance, as distinguished from its legal effect or consequence. Compare question of fact, question of law.

And now factoid:

fac·toid [fak-toid]
noun
1. an insignificant or trivial fact.
2. something fictitious or unsubstantiated that is presented as fact, devised especially to gain publicity and accepted because of constant repetition.

Even Urban Dictionary has got it mostly correct.

So, if you're just going to use factoid to sound cool.. don't!

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