"white lie." is a term saying that lie somebody told is no big deal but why is the word white in there. can somebody explain.

by Freelancer Posted 2012/07/24 01:48:29

Related Topics: Word, Lie

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Michelle 2012/07/24 06:52:36

i can

My guess is that because the colour white is associated with innocence and purity (while the colour black is associated with evil).

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rand 2012/07/24 04:27:16

i can

...or I can at least try. White is a color associated with purity, good intentions, and harmlessness as opposed to the demonic dark. I could find no specific explanation in the book "Lying".

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Matt 2012/07/24 02:50:31

i can

+1
Not too many years ago, the color black was associated with evil. If you called a negro black, you were looking for a knuckle sandwich. There was black magic, black knights, black hearted, and black masses, celebrated by satanists.

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Balladeer-PWCM-POTL 2012/07/24 02:48:01

i can

+1
Part of our societal mindset ..White VS Black....White is considered good...black is considered bad.....there was (is) Black Magic meaning evil and harmful...and White magic which is benign and good. So a lie that does not harm is called a 'white' lie

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♥☯ ʂıoвнaп ☮♥ 2012/07/24 02:16:40

i can

+2
A white lie is referred to as such because the color white in Western culture is associated with good and the color black is associated with evil. As a result of this, it could also be said that the color white also symbolizes a lack of evil intent. Therefore, a lie that isn't malevolent could be called a white lie.

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Nam Era Vet #1 DNA TLC 2012/07/24 02:07:59

i can

+1
A lie is a lie

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Morgan 2012/07/24 02:05:36

good question dont know

+1
Like why not little pink lie or little blue lie, or even just little lie?

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Quiet-is-feared 2012/07/24 01:51:36

good question dont know

+1
Maybe "White lie" is referring to a more peaceful way of telling someone, so "White" is associated as the colour for peace?
Like when you tell someone "you look better" when the person is ill or something, it's kind of a highlighting way to provide a little motivation to them, or make the lie more peaceful...
if that makes sense :S

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