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Inflationary Dialogue: Difference between revisions
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{{trope}}
This is a numerical claim that mysteriously shifts over the course of a conversation. Note that there are two different ways this can
A sure sign of a [[Bad Liar]]. Not to be confused with Victor Borge's "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY6kElOYcd8 Inflationary Language]" routine.
{{examples}}▼
▲{{examples}}
== [[Film]] ==
* ''[[Liar Liar]]'' has:
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'''Cmdr. Drury''': No!
'''Maxwell Smart''': How about two push ups and a deep breath? }}
{{quote|'''Maxwell Smart''': Because at this very moment, this warehouse is being surrounded by one hundred cops with Doberman pinschers. Would you believe it? A hundred cops with Doberman pinschers.
'''Nicholas Dimente''': I find that hard to believe.
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* In the scene in ''[[The Hobbit]]'' where the dwarves are introduced to Beorn, Gandalf doesn't want to introduce all of them at once, for fear that Beorn won't be willing to provide them with hospitality if he sees all of them right away. As a result, his account of their prior adventures works this way.
* [[Discworld]] examples:
** In ''[[
** In ''[[
** A variation in ''[[
** In ''[[
* Justified in ''[[Snow Crash]]'', thanks to some quality [[Cold Sniper|sniping]].
{{quote|'''Vic:''' It's one of them drug dealer boats... five guys on it, heading our way. Correction, four guys on it. Correction, they're not heading our way anymore. Correction, no boat. }}
== [[Live
* ''[[Monty Python's Flying Circus]]'':
** The [[Rail Enthusiast|camel-spotting]] sketch has:
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* Maxwell Smart of ''[[Get Smart]]'' tends to use the decreasing version. For example:
{{quote|'''Smart''': At the moment, seven Coast Guard cutters are converging on us. Would you believe it?
'''[[Mister Big|Mr. Big]]''': I find that hard to believe.
'''Smart''': Hmmm ... Would you believe six?
'''Mr. Big''': I don't think so.
'''Smart''': How about two cops in a rowboat? }}
* In ''[[Only Fools and Horses]]'' episode "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Uncle", Uncle Albert arrives at the flat with a black eye and no money. He says he's been mugged by a gang of youths, but the number increases every time he tells the story. It turns out he lost the money playing dominoes, and then got in a punch-up with his opponent Knock-Knock over Marlene's mother.
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* Whopper from ''[[Pound Puppies]]'' does this at least [[Once an Episode]].
== Other Media ==
* Take this joke about stereotypical Jewish cheapness (one of many versions of the same joke):
{{quote|'''Jewish Son:''' Dad, can I have $20 to see a film?
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{{reflist}}
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Dialogue]]
[[Category:Comedy Tropes]]
[[Category:Truth and Lies]]
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