Hello, I'm an expert in linguistics and etymology. I'd be happy to help you understand the origin of the term "little white lie."

The phrase "little white lie" refers to a minor or trivial falsehood that is told to avoid hurting someone's feelings or to avoid causing trouble. The term itself is a bit of a paradox because lies are generally not considered to be "white" or innocent. However, the phrase has become a common part of the English language.

The exact origin of the term is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have come into use in the 19th century. The "white" in "little white lie" is thought to be a way of contrasting the lie with more serious or harmful lies, which might be referred to as "black" lies. The idea is that a "little white lie" is a harmless or even socially acceptable form of deception.

It's important to note that the concept of a lie being categorized by its intention or effect is not universally accepted. Some people argue that lying is always wrong, regardless of the circumstances. However, the term "little white lie" has persisted in the language as a way to describe a specific type of lie.

read more >>

Along the same lines, a white lie is one that lacks evil intent, as opposed to a black lie, which is most certainly malevolent, though normally we don't bother to specify that lies are evil. A white lie is harmless or trivial, frequently one said in order to avoid hurting someone's feelings.read more >>