But now he was a theef outrageously,
For which the wardeyn chidde and made fare.
But therof sette the millere nat a tare;
He craketh boost, and swoor it was nat so.
– Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales, The Reeve’s Tale. When the warden of the college complains and makes a fuss about the theft of meal and grain by Symkyn, the miller simply blusters and lies, swearing it didn’t happen.