Does an anecdote have to be true?

Answer 1

No, but the best anecdotes are at least based in truth. Anecdotes (funny stories) are often based in exaggerations, conflations (when you combine two different events) and pure fiction.

Answer 2

No, an anecdote does not have to be true. An anecdote is a short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person, but it can also be fictional. However, presenting a false anecdote as true may undermine credibility or deceive the audience.