Worlds biggest liar competition underway in England
The competition is underway in England, with billions of dollars and hundreds of lives at stake.
OK, that s not true. But competitors from around the world gathered for the annual competition to crown the world s biggest liar.
Each contestant is given up to five minutes to weave the best fib in the contest, which was founded in honor of 19th-century Bridge Inn landlord Will Ritson, who was reportedly legendary for his lies.
Competitors gather at the Bridge Inn every year for the competition, a small pub in northwestern England.
Anyone can take part in the competition. Well, almost anyway; the Associated Press notes that lawyers and politicians are banned, citing "an unfair advantage" in the proceedings.
A study published this past July in the journal Evolution & Human Behavior found that nearly all lies are detectable through visible facial muscle reactions in the person telling a lie. "Thus, while interpersonal deception often is highly successful, signs of covert emotional states are communicated clearly to the informed observer," the study concluded.
A bishop of Carlisle reportedly holds what may be the greatest lie of all time in the competition, simply stating, "I have never told a lie in my life."
In 2003, Abrie Krueger of South Africa became the first non-Brit to win the competition. Ironically, Krueger was accused by some of cheating.
In 2006, comedian Sue Perkins became the first female to win the competition, telling a tale about people riding camels to work as a result of climate change.
Last year s winning entry came from Glen Boyland, who told a lie about competing in a snail-racing competition with Prince Charles.
