Did I lie . . .

Or just “misspeak”

While growing up, in my family there were very strict rules about “misrepresenting” the truth. This frog of little brain vaguely remembers the rules bending slightly known as a “little white lie”.
That aside, if you lied, you were going straight to HELL and also standing in line at the confessional on Saturday afternoon. When the truth comes out, you never trust the person who lied again. Unless they confessed their sins and did penance (3 Our Father’s and 5 Hail Mary’s) then everything was OK. But I digress. Frogs with little brains to that from time to time.

In a recent family matter, I accused someone of lying to me followed by “don’t ever do it again.” Trying to emphasize that truth hurts but the loss of trust in the person may never return. Upon which the person exclaims, “I would never lie.” And “big ears” not included in the conversation pipes in with “____ would never lie.” Needless to say I didn’t keep my mouth shut but I’m not going into details.

A few minutes into the argument that ensued the person says “well, maybe I misspoke”

OK, so what is “misspoke” and who thought up that one? How long if ever before you could trust the person again?

This frog of little brain is having trouble getting her mind around “misspoke”

kebs

IMO, misspoke could be used when someone says something that at the time seemed true to them, but after further thought (or argument) it becomes obvious, it wasn't true.

'misspoke' can mean something said but not in the way it was meant, as well...but I consider that usage more of an excuse and the 'mispeaker' just wants to be let off the hook.

How long before you trust? Depends. If it was a true 'mispeak', perhaps when anything else is said on a topic you're conserned about, I would ask for clarification i.e., repeating the statement, if for no other reason, than to make it unavoidable for the one 'speaking' to say anything other than what they meant.

If it was the other...just an excuse because of being caught in a lie....the answer would be never.