WORDS-L Archives

From: Deborah and Martin <>
Subject: Re: Bald face lie or bold face lie?
Date: Mon, 19 Oct 1998 06:17:37 -0500

wrote:
>
> Just to add some confusion. I have always heard it expessed as bare faced lie. At least in England :-)

Without any scholarly information to back up my assumption, I would say
"bald-faced" - and would take it to mean without any shame,
metaphorically without a fan or disguise behind which to hide.

As a professional editor & writer these 24 years, I have observed that
"bold-faced" has come into general use only in the last 5 or 10 years
with the advent of desktop publishing. Prior to that, I heard those not
in the words field use the terms "heavy type" or "black type."

Just my best guess!
D

This thread:

• Bald face lie or bold face lie? by Scott Taylor <>
  • RE: Bald face lie or bold face lie? by Helen J Bolton <>
  • Bald face lie or bold face lie? by <>

  • Re: Bald face lie or bold face lie? by Deborah and Martin <>

  • Re: Bald face lie or bold face lie? by "Virginia W. Beck" <>
  • Re: Bald face lie or bold face lie? by "Bryce Stevens" <>