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Usenet Posted 23 years ago
Usage

Deceptively?

Recently I came across an advertisement for an apartment that was described inter alia, as "deceptively large".

It seemed to me at the time that this must have meant that despite being small, it appeared to be large or roomy.

Did I get this the right way around? No matter how I reason it out it seems elusive to hold on to -- rather like those images that change when you adjust your perspective.

Seeking wiser heads than mine ...

Chrissy
  

Top answer

[nq:1]Recently I came across an advertisement for an apartment that was described inter alia, as "deceptively large". It seemed to ... on to -- rather like those images that change when you adjust your perspective.

  • [nq:1]Recently I came across an advertisement for an apartment that was described inter alia, as "deceptively large".
  • It seemed to ...
  • on to -- rather like those images that change when you adjust your perspective.
  • [/nq] I would have expected an apartment to be larger than one thinks it will be based on the appearance of the building or some first impression gained walking in.
  • If, for example, the entry and rooms opening off the entry are small, but there are more rooms than one expects to find in an apartment with a small first impression, then it would be deceptively large.
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33 Answers
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[nq:1]Recently I came across an advertisement for an apartment that was described inter alia, as "deceptively large". It seemed to ... on to -- rather like those images that change when you adjust your perspective. Seeking wiser heads than mine ...[/nq]
I would have expected an apartment to be larger than one thinks it will be based on the appearance of the building or some first impression g
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[nq:1]Recently I came across an advertisement for an apartment that was described inter alia, as "deceptively large". It seemed to ... you adjust your perspective. Seeking wiser heads than mine ...[/nq]
To me, deceptively large means larger than it looks. m.
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[nq:1]Recently I came across an advertisement for an apartment that was described inter alia, as "deceptively large". It seemed to ...[/nq]
... the layout of the rooms, perhaps, with there being one small room after another after another... Or some other reason.
-- Best -- Donna Richoux
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[nq:1]Recently I came across an advertisement for an apartment that was described inter alia, as "deceptively large".[/nq]
Remember that language in advertising is used less to communicate information than to persuade you to buy.

-- Don Phillipson Carlsbad Springs (Ottawa, Canada)
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[nq:1]Recently I came across an advertisement for an apartment that was described inter alia, as "deceptively large". It seemed to ... on to -- rather like those images that change when you adjust your perspective. Seeking wiser heads than mine ...[/nq]
You'll find this one in the archives, and it gets pretty circular. People understand it differently, and use it differently, and it is theref
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[nq:2]Recently I came across an advertisement for an apartment that ... you adjust your perspective. Seeking wiser heads than mine ...[/nq]
[nq:1]You'll find this one in the archives, and it gets pretty circular. People understand it differently, and use it differently, ... large, then it is larger than it seems. If it seems deceptively large, then it seems larger than it is.[/nq]
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In alt.english.usage on Wed, 27 Aug 2003 19:38:14 -0400 "Don Phillipson" (Email Removed) posted:
[nq:2]Recently I came across an advertisement for an apartment that ... large". (Does that mean bigger than it seems or smaller?)[/nq]
[nq:1]Remember that language in advertising is used less to communicate information than to persuade you to buy.[/nq]
Whenever I find a place that is decep
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[nq:2]Recently I came across an advertisement for an apartment that was described inter alia, as "deceptively large".[/nq]
[nq:1]Remember that language in advertising is used less to communicate information than to persuade you to buy.[/nq]
Yes I imagine so ... though my housemate suggested that it meant that it was probably "too small to swing a cat" (by which I presume she meant of the
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In alt.english.usage on 28 Aug 2003 01:00:02 -0700 (Email Removed) (chrissy) posted:
[nq:2] Remember that language in advertising is used less to communicate information than to persuade you to buy.[/nq]
[nq:1]Yes I imagine so ... though my housemate suggested that it meant that it was probably "too small to swing a cat" (by which I presume she meant of the whip rather than the feline var
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[nq:2]Recently I came across an advertisement for an apartment that ... you adjust your perspective. Seeking wiser heads than mine ...[/nq]
[nq:1]To me, deceptively large means larger than it looks. m.[/nq]
The logic of the motive seems to suggest this but when you ask "in what way is it large?" and answer "deceptively" it seems to imply the deception surrounds its great magnitude id est,

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