Word Power Made Easy
Sessions 14-17: How to Talk About Liars and Lying
Let's explore the words that describe the many ways people handle the truth... or don't.
The 10 Kinds of Liars
In these sessions, we will master the 10 "species" of liar, from the casual to the criminal.
- Notorious Liar
- Consummate Liar
- Incorrigible Liar
- Inveterate Liar
- Congenital Liar
- Chronic Liar
- Pathological Liar
- Unconscionable Liar
- Glib Liar
- Egregious Liar
Famous for lying. Their reputation is widely known (`notus`).
Everyone knows they are a liar.
A master artist of lying. They lie with the highest (`summus`) skill.
Their lies are almost believable.
Beyond correction. They are not correctable (`corrigere`).
They will not stop, even if caught.
An old (`vetus`) hand at lying. It's a deep-rooted, long-standing habit.
They have been lying for years.
Lying since birth (`genesis`). An exaggeration for someone who has lied their entire life.
Lies over and over, all the time (`chronos`).
They never stop lying.
A compulsive, irrational liar. They can't help it; it's a disease (`pathos`).
They lie for no reason at all.
Has no conscience (`sciens`). They feel no guilt or regret.
They are "not aware" of any wrongdoing.
A smooth, fast-talking, fluent liar.
They lie so easily it's suspicious.
An outstandingly bad liar. Their lies stand out from the herd (`grex`) as vicious.
Their lies are shocking and harmful.
The Roots of Lying: NOTUS
(Latin: "known")
Widely and unfavorably "known."
The Roots of Lying: SUMMUS
(Latin: "highest")
Raised to the "highest" point of skill.
From `summus`.
The highest point of a mountain.
The Roots of Lying: CORRIGO
(not)
(to correct)
"Not correctable"; beyond reform.
The Roots of Lying: VETUS
(Latin: "old")
An "old," long-established habit.
From `vetus`.
An "old" hand at something (like war or a profession).
The Roots of Lying: GENESIS
(with)
(birth, origin)
Happening "with" (at) birth.
More from GENESIS
The root `genesis` gives us many "origin" words:
- Genetics: The study of heredity and origin.
- Genealogy: The study of family origins/lineage.
- Hereditary: Passed down from your origins.
The Roots of Lying: CHRONOS
(Greek: "time")
Over and over; happening all the "time."
(against)
(time)
Something "against time"; out of its proper time period (e.g., a clock in a Shakespeare play).
(together)
(time)
To make things happen "together in time."
The Roots of Lying: PATHOS
(Greek: "disease, suffering, feeling")
Caused by a mental "disease."
(with)
(feeling)
"Feeling with" someone; feeling sorry *for* them.
(against)
(feeling)
A strong "feeling against" someone; dislike.
(without)
(feeling)
A state of being "without feeling"; indifference.
(in)
(feeling)
"Feeling in"; understanding someone's feelings as if they were your own.
Sympathy vs. Empathy
What's the difference?
- Sympathy: Feeling *for* someone.
(You see them in a dark hole and say, "That looks terrible.") - Empathy: Feeling *with* someone.
(You climb into the hole with them and say, "I know what this feels like.")
The Roots of Lying: SCIENS
(not)
(with)
(knowing)
"Not knowing with" (i.e., without conscience/guilt).
From `con-` (with) + `sciens` (knowing).
"Knowing with" yourself; aware of your thoughts and surroundings.
(all)
(knowing)
"All-knowing."
(before)
(knowing)
"Knowing before"; having foresight.
The Roots of Lying: GLIB
(from Middle Dutch: "slippery")
A smooth, fluent, "slippery" talker.
The Roots of Lying: GREX
(out)
(herd, flock)
Standing "out from the herd" (in a bad way).
From `grex`.
Loves being with the "herd"; sociable, friendly. (The opposite of an egregious act).
(apart)
(herd)
To set apart from the herd.
(with)
(herd)
To gather with the herd; to assemble.
(to)
(herd)
To bring to the herd; to combine into a total sum.
Sessions 14-17 Review
You've learned 10 types of liars and their roots:
- Notorious (`notus` - known)
- Consummate (`summus` - highest)
- Incorrigible (`corrigo` - to correct)
- Inveterate (`vetus` - old)
- Congenital (`genesis` - birth)
- Chronic (`chronos` - time)
- Pathological (`pathos` - disease)
- Unconscionable (`sciens` - knowing)
- Glib (slippery)
- Egregious (`grex` - herd)
Quiz Time: True or False
Let's test your understanding with questions from the book.
Based on what you've learned, are these statements True or False?
Quiz: True or False (1-10)
1. A 'notorious' liar is well-known for their lies.
2. A 'pathological' liar lies only for rational reasons.
3. 'Congenital' implies a history of deceit starting from birth.
4. The root 'vetus' means 'old'.
5. A 'consummate' artist is unskilled.
6. 'Gregarious' means loving to be alone.
7. An 'anachronism' is something that is out of its proper time.
8. 'Pathos' is the root for 'disease' or 'feeling'.
9. A 'glib' liar is awkward and stumbles over words.
10. 'Omniscient' means 'all-knowing'.
Quiz: True or False (11-15)
11. To 'segregate' is to bring the herd together.
12. 'Sympathy' is feeling *with* someone's feelings.
13. An 'incorrigible' liar is easy to correct.
14. 'Genesis' is the root for 'end'.
15. 'Egregious' means standing *out* from the herd (in a bad way).
Quiz: Crossword
Let's test your new vocabulary with a crossword puzzle.
Fill in the grid based on the clues provided.
Sessions 14-17 Crossword
ACROSS
- 2. Root for "time" (7)
- 3. Without conscience (13)
- 6. Root for "herd/flock" (9)
- 7. To gather "with the herd" (10)
- 8. Feeling "in" (6)
- 11. Old; a long-standing habit (10)
- 12. All-knowing (9)
- 13. Highest point (6)
DOWN
- 1. Root for "to correct" (15)
- 3. Lying as a "disease" (13)
- 4. Smooth, fluent (7)
- 5. Lying since "birth" (10)
- 6. "Knowing before" (9)
- 9. "Out of the herd"; outstandingly bad (9)
- 10. Widely "known" (9)
Congratulations!
You have completed the presentation for Sessions 14-17.
Next Up: Sessions 19-23
How to Talk About Actions