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stranger
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stranger
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I know that it exists, as someone told me about it when I was a teen, but I have since forgotten it. I think that it was German, but I can't recall.
For a better definition, perhaps an example might work better: You have a three year old daughter, and your wife is pregnant. You tell your daughter two things: 1) Santa is real, and 2) The baby is in mommy's tummy. The first is an straight-out lie, while the second is only technically a lie. As your daughter has no real knowledge of biology, she only has known thus far that food ends up in your tummy, so she thinks that the baby is in there with the food. [Insert hilarious anecdote here.]
The important difference between the two examples is the intention and long-term results of each. For the first, even though you mean it as a way of increasing their happiness, eventually they will find out the truth, sometimes with devastating consequences. For the second, the technical lie was only used to cover areas that the child wasn't ready or able to understand, and, as she grows older and understands more, she will also understand why you simplified such a complicated concept and won't resent you for it.
Another example is one we use every day:
"How are you?"
"I'm fine." (Which, of course, means "I'm not feeling too good, I'm behind in my car payments, my job stinks, etc., etc., etc., but I don't want to get into it.")
So how about it, fellow linguaphiliacs? Does one of you know the word to which I am referring?
Thnik about it!
DeadlyDad
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Wow. Welcome, DD. All I can think of is "white lie," which I'm pretty sure is not what you're looking for.
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woerterbuch.info This dictionary gives the German word: Bevorzugte Lüge = preferred lie
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probly no answer, but types of lies - joe (taradiddle) friday
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Are there as many sorts of thruths as there are of lies?
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why, of course!  - ron o.
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I bet you lie. types of thruths see?
Last edited by BranShea; 10/22/2007 8:38 PM.
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veteran
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I suppose a euphemism is a sort of lie.
What about "cock-and-bull" story?
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member
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Are you referring the lies-to-children concept? Where a version of the truth that is vastly simplified is used as a stand in until an adequate background is provided to fully explain a difficult concept?
tempus edax rerum
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stranger
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stranger
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woerterbuch.info This dictionary gives the German word: Bevorzugte Lüge = preferred lie Proximity, but the lack of a tightly-rolled cylinder of cured tobacco leaves is noted. 
Last edited by DeadlyDad; 10/23/2007 7:23 PM.
Thnik about it!
DeadlyDad
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I suppose a euphemism is a sort of lie.
To me it seems that euphemism stands closer to hypocrisy than to the lie.
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Pooh-Bah
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To me it seems that euphemism stands closer to hypocrisy than to the lie. or to tact/gentleness
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veteran
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The important difference between the two examples is the intention and long-term results of each. For the first, even though you mean it as a way of increasing their happiness, eventually they will find out the truth, sometimes with devastating consequences.
For the second, the technical lie was only used to cover areas that the child wasn't ready or able to understand, and, as she grows older and understands more, she will also understand why you simplified such a complicated concept and won't resent you for it .
What, DeadlyDad, you got something against Santy Claus? Why is the girl so understanding about the baby in the belly and yet she is damaged forever when she is told that there ain't no Santy Claus? The girl is unhinged. Watch out! She might burn down an orphanage if she hears the truth about the tooth fairy. The semantics of the concept "lie" in all languages can be found in the deliberate distortion of reality by someone for their own personal gain, even if their personal gain is only a perverse desire to cause others pain. White lies, etc. are not lies at all. They are merely culture memes for the larger good.
Last edited by themilum; 10/24/2007 1:26 AM.
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Tact,yes of course, that too.
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