GARDEN PATH Meaning and
Definition
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Garden path refers to a linguistic phenomenon in which a sentence or phrase initially appears to have a straightforward or predictable meaning, but as the sentence progresses, it leads the reader or listener into a different interpretation or unexpected conclusion. This term is derived from the analogy of being led astray or diverted from the intended path, akin to a garden path that tricks and confuses visitors. These sentences often exploit the syntactic structure and linguistic ambiguity, creating deceptive statements that require the audience to backtrack and reevaluate their initial understanding.
Garden path sentences are typically constructed using words with multiple meanings, syntactic structures that allow for different interpretations, or by introducing a temporary diversion to propel the reader into revising their initial understanding. The structure of these sentences purposefully leads the reader or listener to make assumptions based on familiar syntactic patterns or common word usages, only to discover that their initial interpretation was incorrect or misleading. This cognitive process challenges the reader's comprehension and necessitates mental revision in order to correctly interpret the sentence.
The term "garden path" is widely used in cognitive linguistics and psycholinguistics to describe these linguistic traps and explore how they influence language processing and comprehension. By presenting unexpected twists in sentence structure and word usage, garden path sentences serve as a valuable tool in understanding the intricacies of human language comprehension and interpretation.
Common Misspellings for GARDEN PATH
- farden path
- varden path
- barden path
- harden path
- yarden path
- tarden path
- gzrden path
- gsrden path
- gwrden path
- gqrden path
- gaeden path
- gadden path
- gafden path
- gatden path
- ga5den path
- ga4den path
- garsen path
- garxen path
- garcen path
- garfen path
Etymology of GARDEN PATH
The term "garden path" originates from the combination of two separate words: "garden" and "path".
- The word "garden" can be traced back to the Old North French "gardin", which also came from the Frankish word "gardo", meaning "enclosure" or "fenced-in area". This ultimately evolved from the Proto-Germanic "garda", related to the English word "yard", and the Old English "geard". The word "garden" has been used since the 13th century to refer to a plot of land cultivated for growing plants, often ornamental ones.
- The word "path" comes from the Old English "paþ", which later became "path" in Middle English. This word is related to the Old High German "pfad" and Dutch "pad", meaning a way or a track.
Idioms with the word GARDEN PATH
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lead down the garden path
To lead someone down the garden path means to deceive or mislead someone, usually by using charm or false promises. It refers to the act of leading someone on a pleasant and promising path, only to ultimately disappoint or manipulate them.
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lead someone up the garden path
The idiom "lead someone up the garden path" means to deceive, mislead, or trick someone by intentionally providing false information or false hopes. It implies deliberately leading someone on and causing them to have false expectations or beliefs.
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lead up the garden path
To lead someone up the garden path means to deceive, mislead, or manipulate someone into believing something that is not true or into taking a course of action that is ultimately not beneficial for them. It can also refer to enticing or seducing someone into false hopes or expectations.
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lead sm down the garden path
The idiom "lead someone down the garden path" means to deceive or mislead someone, often with the intention of manipulating or tricking them. It suggests that someone is purposely directing another person along a pleasant or enticing route, distracting them from the real or hidden truth.
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lead sb up the garden path
The idiom "lead someone up the garden path" means to deceive or mislead someone, often by providing false information or promises. It implies intentionally leading someone astray or diverting their attention from the truth or intended purpose.
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lead down garden path
The idiom "lead down the garden path" means to deceive or mislead someone, often intentionally, by tempting them with false information, hopes, or promises. It refers to the act of luring or guiding someone into a situation or towards a belief that is ultimately disappointing, deceptive, or harmful.
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lead (one) up the garden path
The idiom "lead (one) up the garden path" typically means to deceive or mislead someone, often by enticing them with false promises or leading them on a wild goose chase. It refers to the act of persuading or guiding someone down a path that has no end or purpose, ultimately wasting their time or causing them disappointment.
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lead sb down the garden path
The idiom "lead someone down the garden path" means to deceive or mislead someone, often by providing false hope or false information, ultimately causing them to be disappointed or misled.
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lead (one) down the garden path
The idiom "lead (one) down the garden path" means to deceive or mislead someone, often by giving them false hope or presenting a situation in a way that disguises it as better or more promising than it actually is. It implies the act of intentionally guiding someone towards a false or disappointing outcome.
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lead someone down the garden path
The idiom "lead someone down the garden path" means to deceive or mislead someone by giving false hope, false information, or false promises. It can also imply manipulating someone into a situation or outcome that may not be in their best interest.
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