truth is stranger than fiction

proverb Real life is filled such bizarre, absurd, or unlikely events that it can be hard to believe they are not fictional. A piece of metal that had embedded itself in the patient's abdomen from the accident actually deflected the bullet away from any vital organs. I tell you, sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.

See also: fiction, stranger, truth

truth is stranger than fiction

Real life can be more remarkable than invented tales, as in In our two-month trip around the world we ran into long-lost relatives on three separate occasions, proving that truth is stranger than fiction . This expression may have been invented by Byron, who used it in Don Juan (1833).

See also: fiction, stranger, truth

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

ˌtruth is stranger than ˈfiction

(saying) used to say that things that actually happen are often more surprising than stories that are invented

See also: fiction, stranger, truth

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

truth is stranger than fiction

Facts may be more remarkable than an invented story. The phrase first appeared in Byron’s Don Juan (1823)—“‘Tis strange—but true; for truth is always strange,—stranger than fiction”—and has been repeated ever since, often with ironic variations. Mark Twain had it in Pudd’nhead Wilson’s New Calendar (1893), “Truth is stranger than fiction— to some people, but I am measurably familiar with it.” And novelist Margaret Echard wrote, “Truth is not only stranger than fiction but far more interesting” (Before IWake, 1943).

See also: fiction, stranger, truth

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References in periodicals archive

Confirming the old saying that truth is stranger than fiction, this year's documentary strand features an array of wild true tales.

reel life

Another one for the road: "Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth isn't."

et Quote: Mark Twain

Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction, but I always thought I was closer to Jedward in one respect.

Robbie's story of the week

Truth is stranger than fiction" Novelist Jackie Collins.

TODAY'S QUOTES

Truth is stranger than fiction. Roy Woolmans, Llandudno Junction.

... extended to litter enforcement; LETTERS

This reads more like a novel than a work of non-fiction and certainly proves the old adage that truth is stranger than fiction.

Outlaws Inc

Truth is stranger than fiction and real life is amazing enough in itself.

Keep it real, please

Readers who have followed THE DA VINCI CODE will find THE DA VINCI FRAUD: WHY THE TRUTH IS STRANGER THAN FICTION equally engrossing.

The Da Vinci Fraud

The short essay entitled "Truth is Stranger than Fiction" is but a single example.

Literary Giants, Literary Catholics

From the "truth is stranger than fiction" department: A Benedictine sister in Poland is in hot water after two drunk-driving accidents and a plot to bribe a policemen.

Naughty nun gets caught

Truth is stranger than fiction. I didn't need to transform it at all." Wilcox also points out a distinction between court art and its pop-culture variant--cartoon drawings of Stewart decorating cells or baking cookies in prison.

Sketchy characters: Christopher Bollen on courtroom drawings

But as we all know, truth is stranger than fiction.

President's men on a Wing and a prayer; The West Wing Saturday, Ch4, 8.00pm

Truth is stranger than fiction. Whatever, back to the Stacy Lowery interview--the best part of the issue.

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