I always thought the "why would you lie about how much coal you have" was just a reference to Oxford Commas.
A common example of an Oxford Comma is:
"I have 100 pounds of iron, 50 pounds of steel, and coal." Here the amount of coal is not specified.
I have 100 pounds of iron, 50 pounds of steel and coal." Here without an Oxford Comma it is implied there is 50 pounds of coal. This making people think you have 50 pounds of coal even though you don't.
I always thought the "why would you lie about how much coal you have" was just a reference to Oxford Commas.
A common example of an Oxford Comma is:
"I have 100 pounds of iron, 50 pounds of steel, and coal." Here the amount of coal is not specified.
I have 100 pounds of iron, 50 pounds of steel and coal." Here without an Oxford Comma it is implied there is 50 pounds of coal. This making people think you have 50 pounds of coal even though you don't.
So lying about how much coal you have! :-)