In that novel, the context is thus: A villainous character asks a lesser villain-in-the-making a question. The lesser villain doesn't tell the truth. He silently congratulates himself for the ease of his own "boldfaced lie" before his mentor.
What struck me was how much sense either bald-faced OR boldfaced could make. In the context it appeared, it's impossible not to see how these words can be confused. Their meanings are awfully similar.
bald-faced (adj) brazen and without shame
boldfaced (n) (alt "bold") a dark, heavy typeset used for emphasis; (adj) that which is printed in boldfaced type
Those meanings are universal. In addition, two of the four dictionaries I consulted list a second adjective definition for boldfaced: "impudent."
So, it would seem that the example I cite above is a case where the finest shades of meaning are at work. Truly, the author could mean "boldfaced" in that second, lesser-known sense of the term (that is, the lesser villain character answered his mentor impudently). But given that at this point in the story, the lesser character still follows his mentor around like a fawning puppy, my gut argued the meaning intended was actually bald-faced (that is, the lesser villain is already so skilled at lying that he does it boldly, without raising the suspicion of even his prevarication-practiced mentor).
The etymology of the pair is interesting. Here's a post that nicely summarizes it. (I would note that the linked article identifies the usage "bare-faced" more common and appropriate than "bald-faced." This is a difference that tends to split along British/American usage lines. In American usage, "bald-faced" is perfectly acceptable.)
Two questions to consider, readers:
1) I can't think of a time I've encountered the adjective bald-faced paired with anything other than the noun lie. But grammatically, the word doesn't seem to be limited to just one noun. What's your experience? Can anything but a lie be "bald-faced"?
2) What are other examples of words that are very close in spelling and meaning, but which, like this pair, may be interpreted to go one way or another depending strictly on context?
And, as always, feel free to add whatever other commentary or questions this little musing inspires. Comments are open!
Could bald-faced be used with regard to poverty or wealth? Or how about heresy, or sins?
ReplyDelete1. As he entered the residence of the Baron, Paul realized he had never seen such a bald-faced display of money before in his life.
2. On the streets of Calcutta, Sara discovered the bald-faced nature of poverty -- women, men, and children, covered in filth and flies; too weak to even raise their eyes, much less their hands, in supplication.
3. Fernando slammed the pages down on the table. All the other Cardinals looks on in shock at what was written on them. Never had such bald-faced heresy been brought before the council before.
4. Karen and Dave strolled into the little Italian restaurant, even though they were both married, their affair was bald-faced and public.
5. Sven looked at the body lying at his feet, then at the pistol held firmly in his right hand. There were no two ways about it, this was a bald-faced murder.
@Pastor Ben: Wow, thanks for your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteOK, folks, Ben has proven that bald-faced can be used with other nouns.
Interesting that in all these cases, bald-faced has a negative connotation (just as it does with "lie"). I wonder...how about a positive context? "Bald-faced innocence" comes to mind, but the sentences I'm thinking of sound kind of contrived. Anyone?
Jake, the farrier was an incorruptibly scrupulous man known throughout town for his bald-faced honesty and good humor.
ReplyDelete@Pastor Ben: Once again, thanks for your comment! You've neatly proven the point: bald-faced is a far more flexible adjective than it's generally treated.
ReplyDeleteMore examples, readers?