Using truthful facts to deceive

[Reuben]

The word of the day is paltering, which means using truthful facts to deceive someone:

https://hbr.org/2016/10/theres-a-word-f ... -paltering

It's a generalization of deception by omission, in that paltering doesn't necessarily leave things out. If there's one anonymous allegation against someone, I can palter by saying "there's at least one anonymous allegation," giving the impression that there are multiple accusers and that I just don't want to give the number.

"Several months before her 15th birthday" is paltering. I haven't checked yet, but I have the impression that paltering is mostly what the essays do to mislead and deceive.

[Corsair]

I love how having the language to describe a problem is frequently needed before it can be addressed. "Paltering" is a great word.

[alas]

It isn't lying, just carefully worded denials.

I agree, great word.

[LSOF]

My vocabulary has expanded by one word.

[Gatorbait]

Interesting word alright- paltering....hmm

Words. Remember "Class Clown" by George Carlin? The seven words that you can't say on TV- it came out in the 70's when George Carlin was just getting his momentum of being one of the most original comics of his generation. I'm chuckling to myself as I write because, unlike a lot of you folks, I did not grow up in a religious family. Sure I was dunked in a pool of yucky water by someone I didn't know when I was a mere lad of eight- but I didn't have any more use for religion back in those days than having a mud dobber build a next on my thigh. Anyways, I had a record player- LPs back in those days- and I was really yucking it up- full belly laughs- listening to George Carlin's "Seven Words". I was laughing so hard I didn't hear my dear sweet mom walk down the hall and into my room. Oops- busted. (gasp) Except my mom was laughing. What? I'd turned off the record when she came in but she went over and turned it on again and we listened together. We had a great laugh together and I grew an appreciation for my mom I'd never had. Words.

Paltering. Never heard it before, but it is a damn fine word isn't it. Sort of like "trifling" but not quite. Fits right on the shelf next to moralizing and rationalizing though, I think. Slippery words for sure. We can moralize the sting out of anything if we are clever enough. And oh my, rationalizing- who can get by without a juicy rationalization or two or three a day? Not me. Paltering- I'll try to remember that one. My spell checker doesn't even recognize it...but what the cuss does the spell checker know anyhow? Good one Reuben. Many thanks for sharing.

[Kalikala]

"Several months before her 15th birthday" is paltering. I haven't checked yet, but I have the impression that paltering is mostly what the essays do to mislead and deceive.

Yes!! I was just complaining to my husband about this very quote today! Now I have a word to define what I was trying to express. Thank you!