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I couldn't resist passing this on! Under "Usage" it refers to three
kinds of lies.
Mary Ellen
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<Hi and Lois>

--------- Forwarded message ----------
Today's Word: Calumniate (Verb)
Pronunciation: [k�-'l�m-nee-eyt]
Definition 1: To make malicious statements known to be false in an effort
to harm someone's reputation or character.
Usage 1: Our language can damage others in several ways: we may defame
(to focus an attack the victim's reputation), malign (to attack someone's
character by speaking badly of him or her), or vilify (to grossly
criticize someone to undermine their character and reputation).
"Calumniate" implies an attack on character or reputation that is
knowingly incorrect. Benjamin Disraeli, a 19th-century British Prime
Minister, said that there are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and
statistics. Calumniating falls under Disraeli's second category. The noun
is "calumny."

Suggested Usage: Unfortunately, we find this behavior on all levels:
"After a period of scandal, politicians sometimes become more careful
about calumniating their opponents." "Humans are basically sadistic;
watch how toddlers calumniate their siblings, just to watch the spectacle
of the punishment."

Etymology: Latin calumnia "trickery, chicanery" from calvor "to deceive."

�Audra Himes, yourDictionary.com
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Valerie Stewart

Benjamin Disraeli, a 19th-century British Prime
Minister, said that there are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and
statistics.

**I thought that was Mark Twain?

Valerie in Tacoma

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In a message dated 2/9/01 12:09:33 PM, vlos@... writes:

<< Benjamin Disraeli, a 19th-century British Prime
Minister, said that there are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and
statistics.

**I thought that was Mark Twain? >>

I thought Mark Twain said "When he goes to a wedding, he wants to be the
bride; when he goes to a funeral, he wants to be the corpse." Or did someone
else say that *of* Mark Twain? <bwg>

Mark Twain and Benjamin Franklin used to get all the credit for every clever
thing in English. Lately Kurt Vonnegut's been getting more than his share of
credit. Those three will cover the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, maybe.

I don't know the answer, I just know that it is common for things to be
credited to Mark Twain.

Sandra