The lie was passed

Posted by Baceseras on April 20, 2009 at 15:53

In Reply to: The lie was passed posted by Sue Cole on April 19, 2009 at 09:26:

: What is the meaning of "the lie was passed", as in the following sentences? "Carr claimed an amount in excess of what Posey thought was due and the lie was passed. Posey then struck at Carr with a pistol."

One of them called the other a liar. Up to that point they had been imposing on each other, probably at odds over a debt of money. But when the word "liar" was spoken openly, it was "fighting words", and the pistol came into play.