A "Fair Witness" is a fictional profession in the book "Stranger in a Strange Land" by Robert A. Heinlein. In the book, Fair Witnesses were individuals trained to see the world around them, as literally as possible, until sensed (see/hear/smell/taste/touch) otherwise.
Another way to describe it would be someone that takes all things sensed as literal as possible & have no reason to believe what they just sensed will remain that way when they are no longer sensing them (seeing/tasting/etc.)
Another way to describe it would be someone that takes all things sensed as literal as possible & have no reason to believe what they just sensed will remain that way when they are no longer sensing them (seeing/tasting/etc.)
An excerpt from the book itself, where the character referenced as "Anne" is an off-duty Fair Witness:
Jubal to Jill: "Even Cavendish did not--at least he won't say so. You know how Fair Witnesses behave."
Jill: "Well...no, I don't. I've never met one."
Jubal to Jill: "So? ANNE!"
Anne was on the springboard; she turned her head. Jubal called out, "That house on the hilltop--can you see what color they've painted it?"
Anne looked, then answered, "It's white on this side."
Jubal went on to Jill: "You see? It doesn't occur to Anne to infer that the other side is white, too. All the King's horses couldn't force her to commit herself...unless she went there and looked--and even then she wouldn't assume that it stayed white after she left."
Jubal to Jill: "Even Cavendish did not--at least he won't say so. You know how Fair Witnesses behave."
Jill: "Well...no, I don't. I've never met one."
Jubal to Jill: "So? ANNE!"
Anne was on the springboard; she turned her head. Jubal called out, "That house on the hilltop--can you see what color they've painted it?"
Anne looked, then answered, "It's white on this side."
Jubal went on to Jill: "You see? It doesn't occur to Anne to infer that the other side is white, too. All the King's horses couldn't force her to commit herself...unless she went there and looked--and even then she wouldn't assume that it stayed white after she left."
by ZoLatKam April 2, 2014
Get the Fair Witnessmug. thinking of the right answer too late; the perfect, usually piercing, riposte that you conceive only when replaying a verbal exchange later in your head
from the French l'esprit d'escalier, the witty repartee you thought of as you're going downstairs to leave
from the French l'esprit d'escalier, the witty repartee you thought of as you're going downstairs to leave
My coworker Ann had taken to calling me "Markus", which I hate. I told her I hated it, and her response was,"It's a term of affection."
I muttered something like "Well it's not".
What I SHOULD have said:
Considering her name, "OK, to cement this 'affectionate' relationship, I'll call you An(n)us."
I muttered something like "Well it's not".
What I SHOULD have said:
Considering her name, "OK, to cement this 'affectionate' relationship, I'll call you An(n)us."
by Mandingoe July 14, 2004
Get the staircase witmug. The wit of someone who wears an orange tuxedo, drives 2 thousand miles for a girl they hardly know and is willing to trade a 1988 Chevy Econoline van for a mini-bike using the milage as a good bargaining point.
by TeamJPD March 9, 2004
Get the Rapist Witmug. Hooking up with someone that you don't want anyone to find out about. Sneaking around to to be with someone.
by fatbox November 28, 2005
Get the sneaky be's witsmug. When someone talks to you and throws you off with distracting information then suddenly reveals their true form and attacks you without any apparent reason. From the video game Dragon Age: Origins.
"Eyes are on you from a very high vantage, Grey Warden. I cannot hide in your wake, and I will not be a footnote! Witness Gaxkang!"
(transforms into an undead boss and starts attacking your party)
(transforms into an undead boss and starts attacking your party)
by Maki_Man November 21, 2009
Get the witness gaxkangmug. knit-wit: A person with a flair, knack or love of the knitting/crocheting craft; Handy with yarn and needles; A knitting/crocheting enthusiast.
Jan could hardly contain herself about the upcomming knitting cruise. "Yes. that Jan - she's a real knit-wit!"
by isabelydancer00 July 28, 2010
Get the knit-witmug. To fuck with something. Something you approve of.
Something you like.
Alternatively can also be used to say, i dont fux with you. As in i dont like you
Something you like.
Alternatively can also be used to say, i dont fux with you. As in i dont like you
by Del Snorte June 28, 2018
Get the Fux Witmug.