Each contestant² is given up to five minutes to weave the best fib（无伤大雅的谎言） in the contest, which was founded in honor of 19th-century Bridge Inn landlord Will Ritson, who was reportedly legendary³ 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 reporters note that lawyers and politicians are banned, citing "an unfair advantage" in the proceedings⁴.

 

A study published this past July in the journal Evolution & Human Behavior found that nearly all lies are detectable⁵ through visible facial muscle reactions in the person telling a lie. "Thus, while interpersonal deception⁶ often is highly successful, signs of covert⁷ emotional states are communicated clearly to the informed observer," the study concluded.

 

A bishop⁸ 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, comedian⁹ 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.

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