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a real "lie" -- the conscious fashioning of an untrue story to achieve a particular end, usually for individual or group self promotion
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The lies that the hobbits are possibly telling seem to be all about self promotion. Saying they sent archers to help the good guys makes them look better as does claiming to be the first to discover or do something. Here are some more definitions-
A false statement deliberately presented as being true; a falsehood.
Something meant to deceive or give a wrong impression.
To present false information with the intention of deceiving.
To convey a false image or impression.
Either Bree discovered things first or the Shire did. Whoever didn't but said they did is doing exactly what the definitions above state.
And if they didn't really send archers then someone (likely several someones) definitely lied big time.
The problem is most people have this messed up opinion about what a lie is. It's like they think lies have to be malicious or something. Well, they don't. If I meet some girl and in order to impress her I tell her some stories about things I've done but exaggerate a bit and make myself look better, that's lying just as much as a murderer denying he murdered someone and inventing an alibi.
I'm not trying to say hobbits are evil, merely that they don't always stick to the truth.
Now I don't want to get ahead here, but just wait until the next couple chapters. Remember when Bilbo is giving away presents and moving out of Bag End? I recall that Merry was kept very busy trying to stop hobbits from stealing things, buying things that weren't for sale, and knocking holes in the walls.
What a bunch of criminals!
