This statement from another thread reminded me of one from a number of years ago when we were camping on the Scott River in N.California.
Some other campers came in and broke out a weedeater to clear the the pad for their tent. In the process they chased out a couple of rattlers. (No big deal)
However, when we came back the next year, the story had grown to 44 snakes were chased out. I have no idea how it settled on 44. Guess that sounds more believable than "3 dozen", or "around 40".

I have found that when more minute detail is involved in a story, the more likely it's BS.

(My wife and I still use the phrase "44 snakes" as a code word for when my stories are getting out of hand....)

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

My first wife had a major self image problem. She was super critical about herself in every way possible. The upshot was that she could not tell a story or describe anything without exaggeration of the details. If it sounded better 'large' to her, she would double the numbers involved. If it sounded better 'smaller', she would halve the number. It took me awhile to catch on to the fact that I couldn't believe anything that came out of her mouth. ........

I've also noticed that with many of us the older we get the better
we were.

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In Omnia Paratus

Any story that begins with one of the following:

* He started by saying "Here, hold my beer and watch this"
* "You ain't going to believe this (stuff)"
* "Once up on a time, in a land far far way"
hardcase60

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You want me to do what?

When I was the (choose the branch of service) my job was so secret....

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Carpriver.

If it was really that secret we shouldn't be talking about it.

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In Omnia Paratus

Around here, the code is 205, after the deputy's kid who was supposedly clocked at 205 by aircraft on his 150mph motorcycle.

But a good story will always improve in the retelling. Some of the details may drift a bit, but if that enhances the rhythm and timing of the story, well, that's a good thing.

How many memorable lines are recounted as "and then I said..."
If truth be told, they should begin, "what I shoulda said was..."

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Not in jail.

In the movie world, its called colorizing.

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Dick Burg

I f---in' hate liars.

You ain't gonna believe this ......




Chuck

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They hold no Quarter

When you scare up rattlers, who hangs around to count them.

I've heard 13,149 stories like that.

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Oh well, what the hell.

After the snakes left someone else would now
own a weedeater and tent.

The older I get, the better I was...

Adding a fake detail like "44 snakes" always helps firm up a story. Next year they may be cobras.:-)