It was an ignorant preconception: Not once have we encountered any anti-American hostility or sense of personal danger.

WSJ: Taken Aback by the Kindness of Strangers

On another subject, and not to make light of this, but there is a preconception already about big oil versus average America.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing on BP Oil Spill

Any fair-minded person would understand the distinction, as well as the underlying motive to distort the public record to satisfy a clear editorial preconception.

ECONOMIST: Israel and the Palestinians

"It's a preconception with a modern house that everything in it has to be really small, " said Mr. Damaschke, 48-year-old chief creative officer at movie studio DreamWorks Animation, noting the 15-seat couch that anchors the living room.

WSJ: Modern Homes: Reviving a Hollywood Icon