μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif

Humor of lies and exaggeration.

Humor. · Humor of lies and exaggeration · Humor of lies and exaggeration. · view the constellation · filed as X900

Filed across the traditions
  • Irish myth Cross.
  • general *Types 1875–1999
  • general *Fb "løgn" II 513b
Within the index
10 finer motifs beneath it
One lie a year. A man who tells but one lie a year is believed because of his general truthfulness. Amusing results Liar comes to believe his own lie. He tells a lie so often that he believes it himself. (Cf. X611.) Lie used as catch tale. (Cf. Z13.) The teller reduces the size of his lie Lying contests Would not lie for a trifle. Liar tells of shooting large number of animals with one shot (an odd number, usually 99). When asked why he did not make it a round number (or an even hundred), he replies indignantly that he would not lie for one pigeon (rabbit) Man has servant corroborate his lies. Rewards him poorly. Servant exposes him Lie: sea has burned up. (Often with answer: "Many fried fish.") Other stories about liars [First Edition: X910. Münchhausen tales.]
Carried in tale types

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