White lie

camels5 · 21 Feb 2008 at 14:46

Does anyone know the origin of the expression White lie? I have googled it but all it tells me is what it means, which I know.

Thanks for any help.

Sic · 21 Feb 2008 at 14:47

something that a black person would be whipped for!

Trojan · 21 Feb 2008 at 14:48

It comes from the same medieval type thinking that gave us "black magic" (bad, harmful, worship the devil type) and "white magic" (sympathetic, helpful hand, charms, for good intent).

From http://www.ilxor.com/ILX/ThreadSelectedControllerServlet?boardid=40&threadid=47444, the first link in a google search for "white lie origin".

UKDTweak · 21 Feb 2008 at 14:48

It comes from the same medieval type thinking that gave us "black magic" (bad, harmful, worship the devil type) and "white magic" (sympathetic, helpful hand, charms, for good intent).

I don't *think* it's racially based, more about the dualistic worldview that would be expressed in black/white, evil/good.

platypus · 21 Feb 2008 at 14:51

It's like a black lie, only more PC.

camels5 · 21 Feb 2008 at 14:52

Your googling skills are obviously better than mine, thanks

Freefaller · 21 Feb 2008 at 14:55

platypus said:
It's like a black lie, only more PC.

Sic said:
something that a black person would be whipped for!

Fantastic!

J1234 · 21 Feb 2008 at 14:57

If it was called a black lie, we would all be in trouble for saying it and it would be changed to something else.