Robert Thornton, a professor of economics at Lehigh University 
in Bethlehem, PA, was frustrated about having to write letters 
of recommendation for people with dubious qualifications, so he 
put together an arsenal of statements that can be read two ways.  
He calls his collection the "Lexicon of Inconspicuously 
Ambiguous Recommendations," or LIAR, for short.
      
Some Selections:
      
To describe a person who is extremely lazy:  
"In my opinion you will be very fortunate to get this person to 
work for you."
      
To describe a person who is totally inept:  
"I most enthusiastically recommend this candidate with no 
qualifications whatsoever."
      
To describe an ex-employee who had problems getting along with 
fellow workers:  
"I am pleased to say that this candidate is a former colleague 
of mine."
      
To describe a candidate who is so unproductive that the job would 
be better left unfilled:  
"I can assure you that no person would be better for the job."
      
To describe a job applicant who is not worth further consideration: 
"I would urge you to waste no time in making this candidate an 
offer of employment."
      
To describe a person with lackluster credentials:  
"All in all, I cannot say enough good things about this candidate 
or recommend him too highly."