Ananias club

Pronunciation pronunciation key
anănīăs

Definition 
A band of liars or deceivers. The allusion is biblical, referring to a rich man called Ananias who, in expectation of Christ's Second Coming, attempted to join the devout community led by the apostle Peter. Ananias and his wife, Sophia, had sold a piece of property. With his wife's full knowledge, Ananias had retained some of the money from the sale for himself and brought the rest and put it at the apostle's feet. Ananias claimed to have given all his money, but Peter knew that the offer was insincere. He accused Ananias of dishonesty, and the latter was immediately struck dead. According to the account in Acts 5:1–12, the same fate also befell Ananias's wife, when she, unaware of her husband's demise, also came to Peter and maintained that they had laid before him all their worldly wealth. Ever since, the name has often been applied to liars, but it was U.S. president Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) who coined "Ananias club," directing it specifically at his political enemies and at journalists who betrayed his confidence. The Ananias club of news reporters and paparazzi was barred from entering the building so that the various leaders could discuss matters without the fear that their words would be publicly distorted.