E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Retort Courteous (The).
Sir, I am not of your opinion; I beg to differ from you; or, to use Touchstone’s illustration, “If I said his beard was not cut well, he was in the mind it was.” The lie seven times removed; or rather, the lie direct in the seventh degree.
