There must be some historical explanation ... as well as a few wry ones!
2007-01-22 04:28:03 · 9 answers · asked by ? 5 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
From the Oxford English Dictionary entry for "lie"
White lie: "a consciously untrue statement which is not considered criminal; a falsehood rendered venial or praiseworthy by its motive"
The term first appeared in 1741. Here's the entry from the OED:
"1741 in Gentl. Mag. XI. 647 A certain Lady of the highest Quality..makes a judicious Distinction between a white Lie and a black Lie. A white Lie is That which is not intended to injure any Body in his Fortune, Interest, or Reputation but only to gratify a garrulous Disposition and the Itch of amusing People by telling Them wonderful Stories."
2007-01-22 05:54:20 · answer #1 · answered by dontknow 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The earliest quotation the Oxford English Dictionary has for this phrase, contrasting white lies and black lies, is from 1741. The origin is not explained, but whiteness has long symbolised purity and innocence.
It follows, a white lie is an innocent deception to avoid hurting another person by telling the truth.
"Does my bum look big in this" will generally be answered with a white lie provided the person answering the question is tactful and diplomatic.
2007-01-22 12:43:44 · answer #2 · answered by CurlyQ 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think there called that because "white" is supposed to symbolize innocence. Purity. So white lies are supposed to be innocent lies or lies that aren't really bad, but supposed to help someone.
But aren't lies just lies? Right? Makes no sense to call them other than what they are.
2007-01-22 12:38:37 · answer #3 · answered by tasha7682 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A white lie is a lie told to protect someone's feelings, usually. Historically "white" was seen as good, hence the name. "Black" being sinister and dark, and therefore the worse lie.
2007-01-22 12:37:44 · answer #4 · answered by catfish 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
white is a color that reflects each and every wavelength. its a mixture of all reflected wavelengths. similarly a white lie is the one which covers all shades of truth. it does not let any wavelength of truth to be perceived by the listener.
2007-01-22 13:09:05 · answer #5 · answered by dadhichid 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nope,not about the history. white is the color of the innocence; and a white lie is something you tell only to protect someone's feelings,and with absolutely no self-interests.so it is innocent; it means no harm to anyone.so it is white :)
2007-01-22 12:37:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
because only white people could use them.blacks were either whipped or hung for lying. thus the legal term white or whitey lies
2007-01-22 13:01:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
my guess [not sure about this: an obvious ly repeatd constantly is called "a white ly"
2007-01-22 12:36:35 · answer #8 · answered by Jordan B 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
OK you racist back into your special needs home.
2007-01-22 12:33:13 · answer #9 · answered by JADE GOODY 2 HOOVES 1 · 0⤊ 4⤋