Communication expert Jefferson Fisher reveals the word that liars always say

Spotting a lie is not always easy, but the words people use can give them away. Attorney and communication expert Jefferson Fisher says that two specific words often reveal when someone is not telling the truth.

Extreme expressions give the game away

On Steven Bartlett’s podcast Diary of a CEO, Fisher explained that people who lie tend to use extreme expressions. They frequently say “never” or “always” to sound more convincing.

Fisher gives an example: if someone asks, “Did you text while driving?” and you immediately reply, “No, I never text. I never text while driving,” that could be a red flag. According to Fisher, almost everyone has sent at least one text while behind the wheel, so these absolute statements are rarely accurate.

Extreme claims are suspicious because they aim to shut down the conversation and make the speaker seem absolutely certain.

Other signs someone is lying

Another clue that someone may be lying, according to Fisher, is how quickly they answer. Liars often respond immediately without pausing to think or recall the facts. That speed itself can be a signal to pay closer attention.

To expose a lie, Fisher recommends repeating the person’s statement back to them. This can make them hesitate and reconsider, often softening their claim to something like, “Well, sometimes yes, but almost never.” At that point, the lie becomes apparent.

Silence can be part of the strategy

Liars may also use pauses or silence. Fisher explains that taking a moment allows them to rethink what they said and fill in gaps in their story as they go.

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