One of the benefits of getting old is, people like me can tell lies. And get away with it. Not malicious or harmful lies, more like misinformation.
My best one has to do with “Ha-Za”. Years ago, a co-worker asked me where the word hazah came from. He knew it referred to something called the “rebel yell”. A war cry, used by Rebel forces during the Civil War, to strike fear into the hearts of the Union soldiers.
Right on the spot, and without missing a beat, I explained that it goes back to Ancient Rome. The Roman troops would yell “Cesar, Cesar”. And that the word Cesar exists today as the Russian word czar (that bit is true). Hazah was the 19th century’s manifestation of this ancient Roman war cry.
My co-worker was actually quite intelligent, and he fell for it. Once I knew he believed me, I told him it was all made up.
I guess the lesson here is, if I ever tell you a really good lie, I’ll let you know. And maybe I missed my calling. Is it too late to become the next Billy Mays?…call right now and we’ll double your order.
It’s the name of our band!