Why¹ do we say, John and Ruth are having a new kitchen ?

More views of - or before - Cambridge Film Festival 2016 (20 to 27 October)
(Click here to go directly to the Festival web-site)

21 September

The Tweets that follow are actually, of course, a hook (in disguise) for a treatment² :

A film all about couples, where each cannot understand the other's decorating shorthand...

Uncrucially, it's usual to formulate :

1. John and Ruth are having a new kitchen

2. Gillian and Bill have replaced their sofa / chairs

— THE AGENT APSLEY (@THEAGENTAPSLEY) September 21, 2016

In 2, whatever they replace, or however they decorate, etc., the room, we never follow 1, saying :

Gillian and Bill have a new living-room https://t.co/mS29wZbD4i

— THE AGENT APSLEY (@THEAGENTAPSLEY) September 21, 2016

In 1, the room itself may get enlarged / another room be used, but we don't say :

John and Ruth replaced their kitchen furniture / fittings https://t.co/mS29wZbD4i

— THE AGENT APSLEY (@THEAGENTAPSLEY) September 21, 2016

End-notes :

¹ Meaning, by way of answer to the question, We say that, because it is true, and we wish others to know it - or, perhaps as reasonably, We say that, because we believe that it is true, and we wish others to know it. (Or, less reasonably (but, depending on our motivation, perhaps rationally ?), We say that, [knowing / believing] that it is untrue, but we wish others to believe it...)

² One challenges the reader not to agree that thinner conceits have been used as the basis for what is allegedly filmed entertainment that runs to 100-120 minutes.


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Unless stated otherwise, all films reviewed were screened at Festival Central (Arts Picturehouse, Cambridge)