Inch/Cinch, Yard/Hard (1947); Lie can go around world... (1854)

[Wilson Gray]

Sam, doesn't your esteemed ancestor, Samuel Langhorne [yes, I realize
that this joke must be worn somewhat thin, by now ;-)] also have a
version of this saying? In fact, before reading this post, I'd been
under the impression that he originated it. IIRC, his version lacks
the "and back."  Unfortunately, I'm away from my books. Otherwise, I'd
just look it up.

-Wilson Gray

On 5/11/05, Sam Clements <SClements at neo.rr.com> wrote:
> ---------------------- Information from the mail header -----------------------
> Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Poster:       Sam Clements <SClements at NEO.RR.COM>
> Subject:      Re: Inch/Cinch, Yard/Hard (1947); Lie can go around world...
>              (1854)
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <Bapopik at AOL.COM>
> To: <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Sent: Monday, March 29, 2004 4:51 AM
> Subject: Inch/Cinch, Yard/Hard (1947); Lie can go around world... (1854)
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------
> > A LIE CAN GO AROUND THE WORLD AND BACK WHILE THE TRUTH IS LACING UP ITS
> > BOOTS
> >
> >   Titelman has this from 1859, but it's indicated at that time as an "old
> > proverb."
> >
> >
> > (WWW.NEWSPAPERARCHIVE.COM)
> > Republican Compiler - 5/29/1854
> > ...seven leagues while TRUTH is putting her BOOTS ON, "and the Democratic
> > party has found.....United States and the British Provinces, LIE cuiux)
> > out by the previous steamer. THIS.....many verificatiONs of this TRUTH in
> > tho telegraphic reports of the.....asif to survey, when the baitories
> > shots-. ON her and not' ON the truce, boat. ON the 2d..
> > Gettysburg, Pennsylvania   Monday, May 29, 1854  1097 k
> >
> >
> > (AMERICAN PERIODICAL SERIES)
> > The Power of the Affirmative.
> > Scribner's Monthly (1870-1881). New York: Nov 1872. Vol. VOL. V, Iss. No.
> > 1.; p. 118 (2 pages)
> > First page:  It is not necessary for truth to worry itself, even if a lie
> > can run a league while it is putting on its boots.
>
> A coy young maiden who is a reader of this list but a rather shy poster
> sends the following:
>
> Lady X-- Perhaps the "truth/boots" version derives from the following still
> earlier
> > form.
>
> > From the EARLY AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS database (1690-1876):
> >
> > [From The Farmer's Cabinet; 2 February 1808; Vol. VI; Issue 14; Pg. 4.]
> >
> > "Falsehood," says one, "flies and truth comes limping after it."  If a lie
> > be believed sometimes only for an hour, it has accomplished its purpose,
> > and
> > there is no further occasion for it.
> >
> >
> > [From "Quere," The Commercial Advertiser, 16 March 1804; Issue 1995; Pg.
> > 3.]
> >
> > A few bold lies may have effected their purpose, before truth can overtake
> > and defeat them.  Falsehood always flies, but truth frequently goes with a
> > limping gait.
> >
> > From Gale's EIGHTEENTH CENTURY COLLECTIONS ONLINE database:
> >
> > [From Jonathan Swift's "The Examiner," No. 14, Thursday, 9 November 1710.]
> >
> > Falsehood flies, and the truth comes limping after it; so that when men
> > come
> > to be undeceived, it is too late; the jest is over, and the tale has had
> > its
> > effect:  Like a man, who has the thought of a good repartee, when the
> > discourse is changed, or the company parted; or like a physician, who hath
> > found out an infallible medicine, after the patient is dead.
> >
> > [On Pg. 15 of _The Works of Jonathan Swift, D.D: D.S.P.D. with notes
> > historical and critical_, by J. Hawkesworth, L.L.D. and others_.
> > Edinburgh,
> > 1778. 448 pp. Vol. 3 of 18 (18 vols.).]
> >
>


--
-Wilson Gray