peddling

This term carries a strong negative connotation, often implying a lack of legitimacy or a deceptive intent. When referring to physical goods, it suggests an informal, unregulated, or illicit trade, such as the sale of contraband or counterfeit items on street corners.

In a figurative sense, the word is almost exclusively used to describe the dissemination of falsehoods, propaganda, or harmful ideologies. It suggests that the ideas being spread are not based on truth but are being "sold" to a gullible audience for the benefit of the speaker.