A white lie is a minor or harmless lie told with good intentions, usually to avoid hurting someone's feelings or to make a situation easier or more pleasant. It is often considered socially acceptable because it is not meant to cause harm but rather to protect someone's emotions or maintain social harmony. For example, saying "You look great" when you think otherwise, or pretending to enjoy a meal to avoid offending the host, are typical white lies
. The term "white lie" dates back to at least the 14th century and uses "white" to symbolize purity or harmlessness, contrasting with "black" which connotes evil or harm. Thus, a white lie is viewed as a small fault or a minor falsehood that is not seriously wrong or harmful
. In summary, a white lie is a small, often well-intentioned falsehood that is considered acceptable because it avoids causing pain or discomfort to others
