Is someone telling lies, or acting like a hypocrite by saying one thing and doing another? You could say that this person is "speaking with a forked tongue". Keep reading to learn more about the meaning and origin of this idiom, and to find out how to use it in a sentence.
Meaning
The American idiom "to speak with a forked tongue" means to tell lies, to otherwise verbally deceive someone, to make empty promises, or to say one thing but to do another.
The saying comes from the fact that a "forked tongue" invokes images of a snake or serpent. Snakes have bifurcated tongues, and have been associated with evil since ancient times. Satan disguised himself as a serpent in the Bible in order to make deceptive promises.
Example Usage
Take a look at these example sentences to get a closer understanding of the context in which the saying "to speak with a forked tongue" can be effective:
- "The prime minister promised to cut down on carbon emissions during his campaign, but use of fossil fuels has only gone up since his election. It appears that he was speaking with a forked tongue."
- "You aren't speaking with a forked tongue, are you, dear? It wouldn't be the first time you've lied to us."
- "Don't speak with a forked tongue if you want people to trust you."
You can also alter the saying to suit your needs. "His tongue was so forked he was practically a snake" could, for instance, still be understood to refer to the original idiom.
Origin
The saying "to speak with a forked tongue" is commonly said to be a purely American idiom. Many even claim that the saying originated with a Native American tribe. The truth is more complex.
The first recorded use of the idiom "to speak with a forked tongue" dates back to the sixteenth century, more than a century prior to the first English settlement in America.
The saying almost certainly has its origins in the Christian cultural tradition. Serpents (snakes) have long been associated with evil and deception in this tradition. The most famous example of this is the serpent in the Garden of Eden, commonly interpreted to be the devil, leading Eve astray with his lies.
Snakes do not have a similar background in Native American traditions. If a similar saying independently emerged in any Native American tribe, it would have referred simply to the fact that snake tongues have are bifurcated, having two strands.
This imagery, too, can be used to indicate that someone says one thing, but means another — or in other words, that someone is lying or otherwise being deceptive.
It is interesting to note that the saying "to speak with a forked tongue" has become more popular since the eighteenth century, and that it is currently almost exclusively used in the United States.
Phrases Similar to Speak with a Forked Tongue
Instead of saying that someone is speaking with a forked tongue, you can also use these phrases:
- To throw dust in one's eyes — an act that means obscuring someone's view; a metaphor for lying.
- Smoke and mirrors — hiding the truth, as in a magician's act.
- To be economical with the truth.
Phrases Opposite to Speak with a Forked Tongue
The opposite of being deceptive or lying would be to bluntly speak the truth. You can convey this idea by saying:
- To make no bones about something — to be blunt and direct.
- Straight shooter — someone who doesn't dance around the truth.
What Is the Correct Saying?
The correct saying, "to speak with a forked tongue", means "to lie" or "to deceive".
Ways People May Say Speak with a Forked Tongue Incorrectly
There is some debate over whether the saying "to speak with a forked tongue" can be used to talk about someone who says one thing to your face, while saying something completely different behind your back.
It is best to use the saying to refer to lies.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Speak with a Forked Tongue
You can say that someone is speaking with a forked tongue if they are lying or smooth-talking with the purpose of deceiving others. The phrase "to speak with a forked tongue" is especially frequently used when describing politicians.