What is an alternative for "the size of a pack of cigarettes"? [closed]
Closed by System on Oct 12, 2015 at 03:11
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Often when trying to give a reader an approximate size for something that fits in your hand that they can visualize and quickly understand, a writer might describe it as "about the size of a pack of cigarettes".
Unfortunately, many people today have a good deal of emotions attached to cigarettes and tobacco products. It is a charged word, so its use in descriptive writing may detract from the work's objective.
So what is an alternative for this old colloquialism that would be just as quickly understood? I first thought cell phone, but today's phones are quickly getting flatter and broader, while cigarette packs are closer to the cell phones of 15 years ago.
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1 answer
Pack of Playing Cards? Some might associate this with Poker and Casinos, but it would receive a lot less heat than a pack of cigarettes I believe.
Really though, all you need to do is think of things that fit in your hand. If nothing's coming to you, take a break. Whenever you find yourself holding something in your hand, check to see if it is the proper size.
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