colloq. Also 8 phibb. [Of obscure origin; possibly shortened from FIBLE-FABLE.]
1. A venial or trivial falsehood; often used as a jocular euphemism for ‘a lie.’
1611. Cotgr., Bourde, a least, fib, tale of a tub.
1726. De Foe, Hist. Devil, II. iv. (1840), 221. As to this story of good and evil angels attending every particular person, it is a good allegory indeed to represent the struggle in the mind of man between good and evil inclinations; but as to the rest, the best thing I can say of it is, I think it is a fib.
1773. Goldsm., Stoops to Conq., III. Tony. Ask me no questions, and I’ll tell you no fibs.
1826. Scott, Woodst., x. A fib never failed a fanatic.
1842. Thackeray, Fitz-Boodle’s Prof., i. He must not sacrifice his honesty, than, either for his own sake or his clients’, in any way, nor tell fibs about himself or them.
1875. H. James, R. Hudson, ii. 48. No one, evidently, was used to offering hollow welcomes or telling polite fibs.
2. One who tells ‘fibs’; a fibber, a liar.
1568. Hist. Jacob & Esau, V. vi., in Hazl., Dodsley, II. 254. Esau. What sayest thou, thou fib? once ye shall have a rap.
1861. H. Kingsley, Ravenshoe, III. ix. 140. ‘Oh! you dreadful fib,’ said Flora.
