Many people will claim they never, and never would, tell a lie. Most, however, if pressed, will confess to telling the occasional 'white lie', in order to spare someone's feelings, or avoid a confrontation. A slight deviation from the strict truth with no harmful or malicious intent.In fiction, sometimes telling a 'white lie' can get the hero or heroine out of a tight situation, or deepen the conflict, causing all sort of problems, depending on the circumstances. Most of us use the term without thinking too much about it - but what is the origin of the phrase "white lie"?
According to Michael Quinion, my usual source of reference, "It's based on the ancient Western idea of polar opposites, represented in popular culture through "white" meaning good and "black" its evil antithesis. We have "white magic", for example, beneficent magic that's opposed to the malign black variety. The term "white paternoster" meant a prayer or charm recited to protect against evil at night ...The opposite was a "black paternoster", a spell recited to conjure up evil spirits or devils."
Well that's fairly logical when you think about it. Black and White in fact! What do you think? Is a white lie ever justified? Would you allow one of your main characters to tell one? As a reader does it make a character seem less worthy in your eyes?
*Thanks to Michael Quinion of WORLD WIDE WORDSWorld Wide Words is copyright (c) Michael Quinion 2009. All rights reserved. The Words Web site is at http://www.worldwidewords.org
I personally don't approve of lying, white, or polka-dot colored! :)
ReplyDeleteI will write my characters, especially the "good" guys as not lying, but side-stepping the issue by changing the subject, leaving the room, etc. Of course, my "bad" guys will always lie! LOL
Thanks for dropping by, Lula
ReplyDeleteI don't approve of lying either - but I'd love to know what a polka-dot coloured one sounds like! LOL!
And of course the bad guys tell great big black ones, but they alwaysget caught out in the end!
I've been known to tell the occasional white lie in order not to hurt someone. I've taken to trying not to do that. Like when someone is wearing somethinh horrible and asks me how I like it, I'd probably try ti pick out something good like "Now that's an interesting color." But it doesn't always work.
ReplyDeleteIn writing, if my characters have to white lie, I make sure it comes back to bite them in the arse.
For the bad guys - all's fair!
Thanks for your comment Kathye, A lie is a lie, but it can be difficult if you're trying not to hurt someone's feelings - the old 'does my bum look big in this?' question, for example.
ReplyDeleteI admit to white lying, I'm not good at it, I tend to forget I did it.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm sorry if my sister was worried and said to me do I look good, I don't care if she looks like doo doo, I'd lie to her. I admit it, uncle.
But other then that I hate lying! I avoid people who do it.
As far as my books, my characters are only human, so they act like humans. And I don't believe anyone has never told a white lie. If it saves someone being hurt and it's harmless. I don't think that makes me a bad person at all.
Now like Miss Mae says, my bad guys lie for sure.
Thanks so much for stopping by and commnting, Mary. I think we're all agreed the bad guys lie through their teeth with impunity!
ReplyDeleteI do agree that sometimes telling a white lie to save someone's feelings can be viewed as a kindness rather than a sin. It's a difficult area, and not as easy to resolve as it appears on the surface.