Snob appeal behind use of terms Life and Times, , 2 Edition

WITH the proliferation of high-rise and low-rise dwelling units, especially in the city, the terms "flat", "apartment" and "condominium" have achieved household status. Unfortunately, marketing ploys and the desire for goods of snob appeal have corrupted the actual mean...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inNew Straits times
Main Authors Sharon Nelson Note: Low-cost limbo, Graphics (Art) - Floor plan of existing one-bedroom low-cost flat
Format Newspaper Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Kuala Lumpur The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad 05.03.1996
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Summary:WITH the proliferation of high-rise and low-rise dwelling units, especially in the city, the terms "flat", "apartment" and "condominium" have achieved household status. Unfortunately, marketing ploys and the desire for goods of snob appeal have corrupted the actual meanings of these words. A flat is commonly held to be a unit in a building which has a small built-up area, poor finish and is generally utilitarian. The word originates from Scottish dialect - a flet meant the floor of a dwelling- place. It was carried forward to Old and Middle English and has now evolved into "flat".