E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Lie.
(Anglo-Saxon, lige, a falsehood.)
1
Father of lies. Satan (John viii. 44).
2
The greatest lie. The four P’s (a Palmer, a Pardoner, a Poticary, and a Pedlar) disputed as to which could tell the greatest lie. The Palmer said he had never seen a woman out of patience; whereupon the other three P’s threw up the sponge, saying such a falsehood could not possibly be outdone. (Heywood: The Four P’s.)
