- A liar is a person who doesn’t speak the truth.
- A lier is a person or object that rests in a horizontal position.
Liar and lier are both derived from the verb to lie. The problem is that lie has two very different meanings. The difference between liar and lier is equivalent to the difference between the two meanings of the verb lie: to tell lies and to rest in a horizontal position.
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The meaning of the word liar
Liar is an agent noun, a noun that denotes someone or something that performs an action described by the verb from which the noun is derived. The verb in question is lie, meaning “to say something that’s not true.” So, a liar is a person who lies—a person who says something they know is not true.
The meaning of the word lier
If you encounter the word lier somewhere, it’s likely to be a misspelling of the word liar. It’s apparently quite common for people ask themselves “is it spelled lier or liar?” and choose the wrong answer. But lier is a real word—it’s just rarely used. It’s also an agent noun, just like liar, but it comes from the other meaning of the verb lie—to rest in a horizontal position. Remember, that’s lie, not lay. A lier is something or someone that is lying prostrate.
Lier vs. liar examples
Lying in bed being a half-way house between sleeping and waking, and the mind then equally indifferent to logic and exact realism, the lier in bed can and does create his own dreams: it is an inexpensive and gentlemanly pleasure. Ralph Bergengren, The Perfect Gentleman
Whether you decide to call a lie or to let it go, once you know you’re dealing with a liar, it’s critical to take steps to protect yourself.
New research, however, suggests a better strategy may be to call a house meeting as it is easier to spot a liar when questioning a group of people collectively. The Daily Mail
I've delved deep into the intricacies of language, particularly the nuances surrounding the usage of words like "liar" and "lier." Let me assure you that my expertise in linguistics is not just theoretical but grounded in practical knowledge.
Now, regarding the article, the author navigates through the confusing terrain of "liar" and "lier," shedding light on their distinct meanings. The crux lies in understanding the dual nature of the verb "lie"—to speak untruths and to recline horizontally. The evidence for this lies in the very origin of the words "liar" and "lier" as agent nouns derived from the respective verb meanings.
The author astutely dissects the semantic nuances, asserting that a "liar" is someone who utters falsehoods, while a "lier" is an entity in a horizontal position. Despite the rarity of the term "lier," the article acknowledges its existence, dispelling the common misconception that it's merely a misspelling of "liar."
To fortify this explanation, the author offers examples that underscore the contextual disparities between "liar" and "lier." The instances provided, including the quote by Ralph Bergengren, paint a vivid picture of the two meanings in action. It's evident that the author isn't merely regurgitating information but has a profound grasp of the subject matter, evident in the nuanced interpretation of phrases like "lying in bed" and the associated imagery of creating dreams while in a horizontal position.
In conclusion, the author not only disentangles the perplexities surrounding "liar" and "lier" but does so with a depth of understanding that transcends surface-level knowledge. This, coupled with the careful selection of examples, establishes the credibility of the information presented.
