Economical With The Truth Meaning
The phrase economy of truth was used in the 18th century by the orator Edmund Burke. Conveying an untrue version of events by leaving out the important facts. A euphemism for lying, in short. Economical with the truth used euphemistically to describe a person or statement that lies or deliberately withholds information.
To be economical with the truth literally means to avoid revealing too much of the truth. While the idea may have an approbatory sense of prudence or diplomacy. The phrase is often either used euphemistically to denote dissimulation (misleading by withholding pertinent information) or else used ironically to mean outright lying.
Often used with sarcasm or satire. It is a euphemism for lying. It is particularly common in Britain because Parliament has decreed that the word “lying” is un-Parliamentary and should not be used in the chambers of Parliament. Therefore people who work in and around Parliament tend to go out of their way to avoid using it, even when not in the chambers.
Economical With The Truth Meaning: Origin
Recorded from the 18th century, although rarely used. It was brought into the contemporary language by the UK Cabinet Secretary,
- Sir Robert Armstrong, who used the phrase during the Australian ‘Spycatcher’ trial in 1986. The expression comes from a statement given in evidence by Sir Robert Armstrong, British cabinet secretary, in the ‘Spycatcher’ trial (1986), conducted to prevent publication of a book by a former MI5 employee, ‘It contains a misleading impression, not a lie. It was being economical with the truth.’
Economical With The Truth Meaning: Attested
- The theological phrase economy of truth (i.e. sparing use of truth) is of long-standing and was used by the 18th-century politician Edmund Burke.
Economical With The Truth Meaning-
- Believed to be from Edmund Burke. “Falsehood and delusion are allowed in no case whatever: but, as in the exercise of all the virtues, There is an economy of truth. It is a sort of temperance, by which a man speaks truth with a measure that he may speak it the longer.”
- Falsehood and delusion are allowed in no case whatever. But, as in the exercise of all the virtues, there is an Economical with the truth. It is a sort of temperance, by which a man speaks truth with a measure. That he may speak it the longer.
Conclusion Of Economical With The Truth Meaning
Economical With The truth Meaning is a way of saying that somebody has left out. Some important facts when you do not want to say that they are lying. Truth is the most valuable thing we have. For Eg. The mayor was known to be economical with the truth. I discovered that my boss had been economical with the truth when she said that the company was making money.
