JTFMax:

While many liars' trousers catch fire, they do not always correlate with truthfulness. In fact, it's a popular idiom that reflects the variety of lies people tell daily. But if you're not sure if your pants are on fire, here are some clues to look for:

Origins

The origins of liar, liar pants on fire. The rhyme has been around for decades, but many linguistic experts say it is not apparent that it originated with the word on fire.

In the US, it is commonly used to ridicule and scold politicians who buck the party line or fail to support a particular agenda item. It is an excellent way to deflate a rogue politician's perceived status and reduce their power in the eyes of the public.

The phrase is based on paraphrasing a poem by William Blake, who wrote it in 1810. Its origin is somewhat muddled. Some claim it is a modern corruption of a much older rhyme, while others argue it is a paraphrase of an old seaman's verse from the 1800s. However, the most common etymology for the saying is that it was derived from a children's rhyme.

Meaning

The more they become US congress senators and presidents, the more they seem liars. They can't fend off political cartoons, fact-checking websites, and schoolyard taunts, and they're all based on this same linguistic axiom: Liar, liar, pants on fire!

A liar, liar, pants on fire, tells a lie that doesn't stand up to scrutiny or logical scrutiny. That's what a political amateur does, and it's an indication of their complete lack of integrity. They aren't concerned with presenting the truth; they're just worried about appearing to be in control of the situation. They're dangerously in charge in a time of dwindling credibility and trust. And that's why we should send them packing this November.

Significance

As schoolyard chants go, "liar, liar pants on fire" has become very satisfying. But what's the significance of this seemingly innocent phrase? Amid last year's midterm elections, liar, liar pants on flames are being used more than ever to highlight the deception and dishonesty that permeate politics. That's a problem because the numbing effect of these lies can erode people's trust in the government.

"The pot calling the kettle black."

Majorie Taylor Greene calls Biden "liar" over claims GOP wants to cut Medicare. While President Joe Biden delivered his 2023 State of the Union address, he received verbal pushback from Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who represents Georgia's 14th congressional district.

Who is congressman George Santos?

Republican George Santos was one of the victors in November's midterms, winning a congressional seat in New York's third district. But he has since faced calls for his resignation and is being investigated for potential criminal misconduct.

In the last few months, Santos has admitted that he fabricated or embellished parts of his education, work experience, and family heritage, including claiming to have survived 9/11 and his grandparents' ties to the Holocaust. He also reportedly lied about his property ownership.

Another investigation by The Times shows that Santos falsely told donors he founded and ran a 501(c)(3) charity called Friends of Pets United. The charity, which Santos said he only campaigned for, raised thousands of dollars from donors who believed they were adopting a dog in need.

Santos also allegedly told potential donors that he produced Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, a 2011 rock musical that was a flop and suffered millions in losses. But the actual producers of the show say Santos never was involved.

Why Santos is under scrutiny

The embattled New York lawmaker has been a polarizing figure in Congress, and many members of his party are calling for him to resign or be removed from office. Even a poll by Newsday/Siena College found that most voters in his district want him to leave.

The House must decide whether to remove him from Congress, a rare process requiring two-thirds of the House vote. The investigation distracts the GOP, which reclaimed the House with a narrow majority in November's midterms.