Shooting a line

Posted by Dani Miles on March 30, 2010 at 13:15

What is the origin of "shooting a line" i.e. telling an untruth or exagerating a truth perhaps. OED suggets first recorded in 1941. My hunch is that it comes from harpooning a whale or casting in fishing. Any suggestions please.

• Shooting a line Victoria S Dennis 30/March/10
  • Shooting a line Smokey Stover 31/March/10