Spinner's End ---- From a different perspective

[Ceridwen]

No: HPFGUIDX 143739

Geoff:
> Looking at things as a native English speaker, I have never 
> heard "spinner" used as the word for a liar.
> 
> We will talk of someone "spinning a yarn" which can mean a 
> storyteller - such as JKR or JRRT for example - but it can mean 
> someone who is bending the truth, but only in this grammatical 
form, 
> not as a noun.

Ceridwen:
Spinning as lying would come from telling 'tall tales', 
your 'spinning a yarn'.  When done for entertainment, that's good.  
When done to get out of trouble or get someone else into trouble when 
one is culpable, that's bad.  Another phrase that would go with it 
is 'making something up out of wholecloth'.  Like the 'Mr. Nobody' 
kids often invent when Mom or Dad asks who spilled, broke, 
rearranged, or shaved something.  Part of the story might be true, 
but the overall effect is a lie.  There might be a difference here 
between US and UK speak.  I'm US, I think you said you're UK?

Another thing for 'spinning' is 'spinning one's wheels', or going on 
uselessly, as in telling those tall tales when nobody believes you.  
Did Bellatrix believe a single word Snape said?  Did Snape believe 
any part of what he was saying?  You could even be spinning your 
wheels if you're telling the truth and no one believes you.  Or if 
what you're saying has no bearing on the subject or is not offering a 
solution.

Ceridwen, finally remembering spinning one's wheels (spinning 
wheels?) after how many months? and wondering if there are any other 
possibilities we haven't explored.