Almost and about are not lying.

Understand the thought

Meaning in plain English

Almost and about distinguished from lying allow language to express an approximation rather than an exact amount. The saying recognises qualified accuracy.

What the words are saying

A useful reading asks whether the uncertainty is honestly communicated and suitable for the purpose. Approximate words cannot excuse a knowingly misleading claim or replace precision where it matters. The sentence is not a rule that every statement containing such words is truthful.

Everyday example

Someone labels an estimate as approximate and checks a precise figure when the decision requires it.

When to use it

Use it to distinguish honest approximation from misleading uncertainty.

Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.