* Hoax: A hoax is a deliberate deception intended to trick or mislead someone.
* Fake: Something that is fake is an imitation or counterfeit, implying it's not genuine.
The issue is that "fake" implies something is already a fabrication, while "hoax" suggests an intentional act of deception. Using "fake" and "hoax" together is redundant, as a hoax is inherently a fake event.
Think of it like saying "phony lie" or "artificial imitation." The words overlap and create a sense of unnecessary repetition.
It's better to choose one or the other to describe the situation clearly. For example, you could say:
* "It was a hoax designed to mislead people."
* "That story is fake news."