[PW] ? Origin of the Phrase 'Generous Interpretation'

[Thornlow, Bruce]

Dear Colleagues -
Does anyone know the origin of the term 'generous interpretation'?  Its
general meaning is something like this: instead of criticizing what
someone has said and saying or taking the position that the person is
wrong, one would rather first seek the reason behind the statement
(either the context or the person's background etc.), in order to get a
broader understanding of the statement or philosophical position etc.
Another term is 'crabbed interpretation'.  Can anyone shed like on the
origin of these terms?   Thank you in advance.
Bruce
thornlowb at ndu.edu