One drawback of living in a non-English speaking country is that one can get trapped trying to explain English language complexities to curious folks. Usually to poor results in Robert’s case.
Here’s an example.
“Cheap at half the price.”
Is this a compliment on an object’s value? Or a criticism of its price? A questioning of its quality? Something else?
Explanations and references to authoritative usage are invited from the viewing public.
It’s really six of one, a half dozen of the other when you think about it.