What

Question

I wonder if there is any difference in the meaning between "(1)" and "(2)".

1. Fish can change color. What a trick!(1) Look! It is on the sand.

2. ''Look at that rain, Cat,'' Nan said. ''Why should I go to school on a day like this?
I want to stay home today.'' Nan looked at her bear's paw.
''I know what to do,'' She said. ''Mother! My hand won't go up!'' Nan said.
''My!'' her mother said. ''How high would it go up last night?''
''This high,'' Nan said. She put her hand over her head.
''What a trick!''(2) her mother said. ''Get out of bed right now and go to school!''

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,
I don't see any real difference. Both are exclamations of surprise.

What difference do you think you see?

Clive

CalifJim · Answer

The best I can offer is to look at some of the dictionary definitions:

trick

1

a : a crafty procedure or practice meant to deceive or defraud b : a mischievous act : prank c : an indiscreet or childish action d : a deceptive, dexterous, or ingenious feat; especially : one designed to puzzle or amuse <a juggler's tricks>

2

a : a habitual peculiarity of behavior or manner <a horse with the trick of shying> b : a characteristic and identifying feature <a trick of speech> c : a delusive appearance especially when caused by art or legerdemain : an optical illusion <a mere trick of the light>

3

a (1) : a quick or artful way of getting a result : knack <the trick is to make it look natural> (2) : an instance of getting a desired result <one small adjustment will do the trick> b : a technical device (as of an art or craft) <the tricks of stage technique>

_____________

I think the use of "trick" is different in your two sentences. Which definition above corresponds to the first one about what fish can do to hide from predators? Which corresponds to the second about Nan trying to make her mother believe something that is untrue?

CJ

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