"lie" antedating

[Jonathan Lighter]

OED online has a third def. of "lie,"n., that should be familiar to most of the Yanks
  [i.e., -- Brit] on this list: "In weakened or non-pejorative sense: an anecdote, tale, ‘tall story’."

  Its primary cite is from Zor Neale Hurston in 1934, but here's one from an earlier age:

  1862 in G. Ward Hubbs, ed. _Voices from Company D_ (Athens: U. of Ga. Press, 2003) 82:  Rather disagreeable day, drizling [sic-JL] rain. Played cards & told lies all day.

  JL


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