[buescher]

It’s historically rooted in Protestant anti-Catholicism, and the most popular version in America of it comes from Washington Irving.

[cryptonector]

I was taught the same thing by Catholics in Buenos Aires.

[buescher]

Well, now you know where they got it from.

[cryptonector]

Maaaybe. I've not seen any strong evidence for that. It's also possible that multiple groups independently came to think that smearing Columbus' detractors was a useful thing for them to do.