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If Someone Says This Word They’re Probably A Liar
If someone is saying a certain word, experts believe it’s a sign that they’re a liar.
Most of us believe we can spot dishonesty by watching someone’s body language – things like avoiding eye contact, fidgeting, or seeming nervous.
However, according to Jefferson Fisher, a seasoned Texas trial lawyer and communication expert, deception is often better detected through language than physical cues.
In a recent episode of The Diary of a CEO podcast, Fisher revealed that people who are lying tend to lean on exaggerated language.
One word, in particular, raises red flags: “Never.”
As Fisher explains: “Never is an extreme. Extremes are a dead giveaway that they’re usually not telling the truth.” That kind of categorical denial is rarely grounded in reality, making it suspicious.
To illustrate his point, Fisher shared a courtroom example.
If someone accused of texting while driving replies with: “No, I never text when I drive,” that might seem like a strong denial, but it can actually be too strong.
According to Fisher: “Everybody texts while they drive at some point. That’s why the word stands out.”
The overconfidence in the word ‘never’ suggests the speaker may be more concerned with sounding innocent than being truthful.
Fisher also noted that liars often respond too quickly, without taking a moment to think.
This can be a giveaway that they’re not actually accessing a memory, but instead delivering a rehearsed response.
“I answered really quickly. I didn’t breathe, think about it, or try to remember,” he said, recalling his own experience with detecting dishonesty.
So, how should you handle it if someone uses a word like ‘never’ in a suspicious way?
Fisher advises repeating the extreme back to them, slowly and calmly: “You never text while driving?”
Often, this will prompt a backtrack.
“What they’ll do most often is say, ‘Well, I mean, sometimes I do,’” Fisher noted. This moment of correction is the key indicator.
They realize ‘never’ was too strong and shift to a more truthful statement.
He also suggests giving the person a graceful way out.
Rather than confronting them harshly, say something like: “If you were texting, it’s okay.” This reduces defensiveness and encourages honesty.
And perhaps most powerfully, Fisher recommends using silence.
“Silence is the ultimate nemesis of liars,” he explained. Just a few seconds of quiet can make someone feel uneasy enough to fill the gap with the truth.
Ultimately, Fisher’s goal isn’t just to catch people in lies – it’s to improve how we navigate conflict.
“When you look to win an argument, you will often lose the relationship,” he said.
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