[ethomson]

There’s no confusion about it referring to a dwelling. The confusion is about the _type_ of dwelling.

To quote Wikipedia:

> In American English, "cottage" is one term for such holiday homes, although they may also be called a "cabin", "chalet", or even "camp".

In other words, calling a multi-million pound property a “cottage” would rankle an American ear.

[gerdesj]

>> In American English, "cottage" is one term for such holiday homes, although they may also be called a "cabin", "chalet", or even "camp".

> In other words, calling a multi-million pound property a “cottage” would rankle an American ear.

It might rankle an American ear but this isn't America, it's Cornwall (Kernow as one of my 11th great grandmas, off of Padstow, would have called it). Cottage hereabouts does not mean a holiday home - they are called holiday homes.

I'll also note that here in en_GB land, the word camp also has multiple meanings and cottaging (the verb) does too. Be careful what you search for. Also please note that Kernow has its own language, which predates English, which is seeing a resurgence. It's one of the old Brythonic languages and Cornwall was once known as West Wales, but I digress.

I spend a great deal of time trying to keep up with the various en_* vagaries. The split of en_US from en_GB (very simplistic depiction) is still quite young and you probably speak a closer variety and with a more "authentic" accent of English than I do, when compared to say that which was spoken in C18 when it started to brachiolate.

[chongli]

In other words, calling a multi-million pound property a “cottage” would rankle an American ear.

I don't think so. There's tons of multi-million-dollar lakefront properties all over North America. People generally refer to these as cottages since they're:

1. seasonal

2. not the primary residence

3. often located near a body of water and/or away from big cities

4. intended for vacations with families and friends (or short-term rental for the same purpose)

[mannykannot]

Indeed... This usage reaches across the pond - check out how the Vanderbilts used the term here:

https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/guide-to-vanderbil...

Le Carré's cottage is a splendid place, but it's not the Breakers.

[Thorrez]

5000 square ft... That's a mansion.

[FridayNightTV]

> In other words, calling a multi-million pound property a “cottage” would rankle an American ear

To this British ear.....

Plenty cottages sell for multi-millions (including many in my village, unfortunately). Please take your semantics elsewhere.

[majormajor]

I don't know why "American ear" was brought into this, even the OED has definitions that agree a cottage is small and this is... very not small.

[User23]

To my "American ear" it just sounds like your typical limey understatement. It's the upper class twit equivalent of the American "humblebrag."