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Florestan
Since: May, 2015
22nd Oct, 2016 06:47:45 PM
Well, there's Morton's Fork (not exactly what you're looking for, but seems at least related...)
Kayube
Since: Jan, 2001
22nd Oct, 2016 10:47:55 PM
This is how a lot of magic tricks work, especially Pick a Card.
A character asks a question in such a way that they can take interpret the answer the way they want, while leaving the appearance of having a choice.
For example, a weapon-collecting Blood Knight who goes around fighting people until they're disarmed and at his mercy. He asks "Your blade or your life?", either executing them and leaving their weapon behind, or leaving them alive and weaponless, depending on the victim's answer. However, someone points out the question could just as well mean "do you want to keep your blade or your life?" or "shall I take your blade or your life?", so the victim doesn't really have a choice (in one case, a Proud Warrior Race Guy answered "life" and was shocked to be spared and disarmed, while a cringing coward with a very expensive sword said the same thing and was equally shocked when the Blood Knight ran him through with that sword).
Edited by Chabal2