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Reference : Sayings : Modern : What you see is what you get

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What you see is what you get American English

Possible interpretation: 1) There is nothing hidden. What you are looking at is the real thing. 2) In computing, the way something displays on the screen is the way it will display in print (or other media)—hence the acronym WYSIWYG.

Origin: Although the acronym WYSIWIG originated with computing, the actual saying "What you see is what you get" predates computing, being used for example by salesmen to assure customers of the quality of their product.

Variety: This is typically used in American English but may be used in other varieties of English too.

Quick Quiz:

The saying "What you see is what you get" is usually intended to
  1. reassure you
  2. create doubt
  3. confuse you

Discuss: What you see is what you get

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