E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Countercheck Quarrelsome (The).
Sir, how dare you utter such a falsehood? Sir, you know that it is not true. This is the third remove from the lie direct; or rather, the lie direct in the third degree.
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The Reproof Valiant, the Countercheck Quarrelsome, the Lie Circumstantial, and the Lie Direct, are not clearly defined by Touchstone. That is not true, how dare you utter such a falsehood, if you say so, you are a liar, you lie, or are a liar, seem to fit the four degrees.
