The phrase "leads garden path" is a common expression that refers to a sentence or phrase that initially appears to mean one thing, but leads the reader or listener in a different direction. The spelling of the word "leads" is /li:dz/, with the "ea" pronounced as a long "e" sound and the "ds" pronounced as a voiced "z" sound. Meanwhile, "garden path" is spelled /ˈɡɑːdn pɑːθ/, with a hard "g" sound for "garden" and a long "a" sound for both "garden" and "path."
The phrase "leads garden path" is an idiomatic expression that is often used to describe a situation where someone is led or guided towards a particular interpretation or understanding of something, only to be eventually led to a different, unexpected or misleading conclusion.
The origin of this expression can be traced back to the concept of a garden path - a path or walkway found in a garden that is designed to lead visitors along a specific route, often with various twists, turns, and hidden surprises. In the context of language and communication, "leads garden path" refers to a statement or sentence structure that initially appears straightforward and easily interpreted, but as one proceeds, it becomes increasingly difficult to comprehend or leads to a different meaning altogether.
This phrase is commonly encountered in linguistics and psycholinguistics, where it is used to describe syntactic structures, such as ambiguous sentences or phrases with multiple possible interpretations. When encountering a sentence that leads garden path, individuals tend to make certain assumptions based on initial cues, only to realize later that their assumptions were incorrect or incomplete. This can result in confusion or cognitive dissonance as individuals are forced to reassess their initial understanding.
Overall, "leads garden path" is a metaphorical expression used to describe the process of being misdirected or deceived due to superficial appearances or incomplete information in a sentence or statement. It highlights the importance of careful interpretation and the potential pitfalls of making hasty assumptions when faced with ambiguous or misleading language.