μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif

Lie used as catch tale. (Cf. Z13.)

Humor. · Humor of lies and exaggeration · Humor of lies and exaggeration. · view the constellation · filed as X903

Filed across the traditions
  • U.S. Baughman.
  • general Type 2200
Within the index

Filed under Humor of lies and exaggeration.

Filed beside 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.) 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.]
Travels with (Thompson’s cf.)
Catch tales. The manner of the telling forces the hearer to ask a particular question, to which the teller returns a ridiculous answer

ask the rhapsode about this motif · search the shelf for “catch” · wander