The story
From cite + -o- + -genesis, probably inspired by cytogenesis. Coined by American cartoonist, author and engineer Randall Munroe in 2011 in his webcomic xkcd.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
citogenesis
Today it means: A circular form of citation where various sources report each other, creating a false impression of reliability. Full definition →