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{{Short description|Figure of speech which has lost its original imagery}}A '''dead metaphor''' is a [[figure of speech]] which has lost the original [[imagery (literature)|imagery]] of its meaning by extensive, repetitive, and popular usage, or because it refers to an obsolete technology or forgotten custom. Because dead [[metaphor]]s have a conventional meaning that differs from the original, they can be understood without knowing their earlier connotation.
{{Short description|Figure of speech which has lost its original imagery}}
A '''dead metaphor''' is a [[figure of speech]] which has lost the original [[imagery (literature)|imagery]] of its meaning by extensive, repetitive, and popular usage, or because it refers to an obsolete technology or forgotten custom. Because dead [[metaphor]]s have a conventional meaning that differs from the original, they can be understood without knowing their earlier connotation.


==Description==
==Description==
Dead metaphors are generally the result of a [[semantic change|semantic shift]] in the evolution of a language,<ref name='Pawelec'>{{cite web|url=http://www.filg.uj.edu.pl/documents/41616/4333138/12308-Pawelec.pdf |title=The Death of Metaphor |accessdate=2014-11-20 |last=Pawelec |first=Andrzej |format=PDF }}</ref> a process called the '''literalization''' of a metaphor.<ref>David Snowball, ''Continuity and Change in the Rhetoric of the Moral Majority'', [https://books.google.com/books?id=j_0o3sjG5GUC&pg=PA126 p.126]</ref> A distinction is often made between those dead metaphors whose origins are entirely unknown to the majority of people using them (such as the expression "to [[kick the bucket]]") and those whose source is widely known or symbolism easily understood but not often thought about (the idea of "falling in love").  
Dead metaphors are generally the result of a [[semantic change|semantic shift]] in the evolution of a language,<ref name='Pawelec'>{{cite web|url=http://www.filg.uj.edu.pl/documents/41616/4333138/12308-Pawelec.pdf |title=The Death of Metaphor |access-date=2014-11-20 |last=Pawelec |first=Andrzej |format=PDF }}</ref> a process called the literalization of a metaphor.<ref>David Snowball, ''Continuity and Change in the Rhetoric of the Moral Majority'', [https://books.google.com/books?id=j_0o3sjG5GUC&pg=PA126 p.126]</ref> A distinction is often made between those dead metaphors whose origins are entirely unknown to the majority of people using them (such as the expression "to [[kick the bucket]]") and those whose source is widely known or symbolism easily understood but not often thought about (the idea of "falling in love").


The long standing metaphorical application of a term can similarly lose their metaphorical quality, coming simply to denote a larger application of the term.  The wings of a plane now no longer seem to metaphorically refer to a bird's wings; rather, the term 'wing' was expanded to include non-living things. Similarly, the legs of a chair is no longer a metaphor but an expansion of the term "leg" to include any supporting pillar.
The long-standing metaphorical application of a term can similarly lose their metaphorical quality, coming simply to denote a larger application of the term.  The wings of a plane now no longer seem to metaphorically refer to a bird's wings; rather, the term 'wing' was expanded to include non-living things. Similarly, the legs of a chair is no longer a metaphor but an expansion of the term "leg" to include any supporting pillar.


There is debate among literary scholars whether so-called "dead metaphors" are dead or are metaphors. Literary scholar R.W. Gibbs noted that for a metaphor to be dead, it would necessarily lose the metaphorical qualities that it comprises. These qualities, however, still remain. A person can understand the expression "falling head-over-heels in love" even if they have never encountered that variant of the phrase "falling in love". [[Analytic philosophy|Analytic philosopher]] [[Max Black]] argued that the dead metaphor should not be considered a metaphor at all, but rather classified as a separate vocabulary item.<ref name='Travers'>{{cite web|url=http://alumni.media.mit.edu/~mt/thesis/mt-thesis.html |title=Programming with Agents |accessdate=2009-12-08 |last=Travers |first=Michael David |date=June 1996 |publisher=Massachusetts Institute of Technology }}</ref>
There is debate among literary scholars whether so-called "dead metaphors" are dead or are metaphors. Literary scholar R.W. Gibbs noted that for a metaphor to be dead, it would necessarily lose the metaphorical qualities that it comprises. These qualities, however, still remain. A person can understand the expression "falling head-over-heels in love" even if they have never encountered that variant of the phrase "falling in love". [[Analytic philosophy|Analytic philosopher]] [[Max Black]] argued that the dead metaphor should not be considered a metaphor at all, but rather classified as a separate vocabulary item.<ref name='Travers'>{{cite web|url=http://alumni.media.mit.edu/~mt/thesis/mt-thesis.html |title=Programming with Agents |access-date=2009-12-08 |last=Travers |first=Michael David |date=June 1996 |publisher=Massachusetts Institute of Technology }}</ref>


In addition, philosophers such as [[Colin Murray Turbayne]] and [[Kendall Walton]] have outlined the manner in which "dead metaphors" may continue to exert influence upon a user's thoughts long after their metaphorical properties have seemingly vanished. Their research illustrates the manner in which "dead metaphors" have often become incorporated into accepted scientific and philosophical theories while also contributing to considerable obfuscation of thought over time.<ref name="ReferenceC">[https://books.google.com/books?id=DsKvAwAAQBAJ&dq=Colin+Murray+Turbayne&pg=PA2451 ''Dictionary of Modern American Philosophers'' Shook, John. 2005  p. 2451 Biography of Colin Murray Turbayne on Google Books]</ref><ref>[https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/metaphor/#MetaMakeBeli "Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Metaphor"  Stanford University, August 19, 2011 Revised August 12, 2022 "Section 5. Recent Developments 5.3 Metaphor and Make Believe" ISSN 1095-5054. Metaphor, Colin Turbayne and Kendall Walton. See Hills, David, "Metaphor", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2024 Edition), Edward N. Zalta & Uri Nodelman (eds.), URL = <https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/fall2024/entries/metaphor/>. on plato.stanford.edu]</ref><ref>[https://www.google.com/books/edition/Mind_as_Metaphor/rSG3EAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Kendall+Walton+metaphor&pg=PA15&printsec=frontcover "Mind as Metaphor A Defense of Mental Ficionalism". Toon, Adam. OPU Oxford 2023 ebook isbn 9780198879671 "Chapter 1 Making Up Minds 1.3 Mind as Metaphor 1.3.1 Metaphor and Make-believe" p. 15-18 Kendall Walton on Google Books]</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=ib1oBQAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=In+Other+shoes+music+Metaphor&ots=SVHEa5qGC7&sig=YWUh8-CalzualtHdIpq9nWAACLU#v=onepage&q=In%20Other%20shoes%20music%20Metaphor&f=false"In Other Shoes: Music, Metaphor, Empathy, Existence." Walton, Kendall L. 2015 Oxford University Press New York pp. 175-195 "Chapter 10 Metaphor and Prop Oriented Make-Believe" ISBN 978-0-19-509871-6
In addition, philosophers such as [[Colin Murray Turbayne]] and [[Kendall Walton]] have outlined the manner in which "dead metaphors" may continue to exert influence upon a user's thoughts long after their metaphorical properties have seemingly vanished. Their research illustrates the manner in which "dead metaphors" have often become incorporated into accepted scientific and philosophical theories while also contributing to considerable obfuscation of thought over time.<ref name="ReferenceC">[https://books.google.com/books?id=DsKvAwAAQBAJ&dq=Colin+Murray+Turbayne&pg=PA2451 ''Dictionary of Modern American Philosophers'' Shook, John. 2005  p. 2451 Biography of Colin Murray Turbayne on Google Books]</ref><ref>[https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/metaphor/#MetaMakeBeli "Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Metaphor"  Stanford University, August 19, 2011 Revised August 12, 2022 "Section 5. Recent Developments 5.3 Metaphor and Make Believe" ISSN 1095-5054. Metaphor, Colin Turbayne and Kendall Walton. See Hills, David, "Metaphor", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2024 Edition), Edward N. Zalta & Uri Nodelman (eds.), URL = <https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/fall2024/entries/metaphor/>. on plato.stanford.edu]</ref><ref>[https://www.google.com/books/edition/Mind_as_Metaphor/rSG3EAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Kendall+Walton+metaphor&pg=PA15&printsec=frontcover "Mind as Metaphor A Defense of Mental Fictionalism". Toon, Adam. OPU Oxford 2023 ebook isbn 9780198879671 "Chapter 1 Making Up Minds 1.3 Mind as Metaphor 1.3.1 Metaphor and Make-believe" p. 15-18 Kendall Walton on Google Books]</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=ib1oBQAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=In+Other+shoes+music+Metaphor&ots=SVHEa5qGC7&sig=YWUh8-CalzualtHdIpq9nWAACLU#v=onepage&q=In%20Other%20shoes%20music%20Metaphor&f=false"In Other Shoes: Music, Metaphor, Empathy, Existence." Walton, Kendall L. 2015 Oxford University Press New York pp. 175-195 "Chapter 10 Metaphor and Prop Oriented Make-Believe" ISBN 978-0-19-509871-6 on Google Scholar]</ref>
on Google Scholar]</ref>


==Examples==
==Examples==
<!--DO NOT ADD EXAMPLES WITHOUT REFERENCES-->
<!--DO NOT ADD EXAMPLES WITHOUT REFERENCES-->
* [[wikt:balls-out#English|Balls-out]] (in reference to a [[centrifugal governor]])
* [[wikt:balls-out#English|Balls-out]] (in reference to a [[centrifugal governor]])
* [[wikt:balls_to_the_wall#Etymology|Balls to the wall]] (in reference to grips on aircraft controls)
* [[wikt:balls to the wall#Etymology|Balls to the wall]] (in reference to grips on aircraft controls)
* [[wikt:brand new#Etymology|Brand new]]
* [[wikt:brand new#Etymology|Brand new]]
* Beyond the pale<ref name="BBC Culture">{{cite web|title=The words that help us understand the world|url=https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20200710-the-words-that-stretch-how-we-think|website=BBC Culture|accessdate=25 March 2023}}</ref> (in reference to a boundary fence)
* Beyond the pale<ref name="BBC Culture">{{cite web|title=The words that help us understand the world|url=https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20200710-the-words-that-stretch-how-we-think|website=BBC Culture|access-date=25 March 2023}}</ref> (in reference to a boundary fence)
* [[Brass monkey (colloquialism)|Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey]]
* [[Brass monkey (colloquialism)|Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey]]
* Cut! (in film)
* Cut! (in film)
* [[wikt:deadline#Etymology|Deadline]]
* [[wikt:deadline#Etymology|Deadline]]
* Fly off the handle<ref>{{cite web|title=handle|url=https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=handle|website=Online Etymology Dictionary|accessdate=25 March 2023}}</ref> (in reference to an ax head)
* Fly off the handle<ref>{{cite web|title=handle|url=https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=handle|website=Online Etymology Dictionary|access-date=25 March 2023}}</ref> (in reference to an ax head)
* [[wikt:footage#Etymology|Footage]] (in film)
* [[wikt:footage#Etymology|Footage]] (in film)
* [[wikt:glove compartment#English|Glove compartment]]
* [[wikt:glove compartment#English|Glove compartment]]
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* Go [[wikt:hell-for-leather|hell-for-leather]] (refers to horse riding)
* Go [[wikt:hell-for-leather|hell-for-leather]] (refers to horse riding)
* Hold your horses
* Hold your horses
* Let one's hair down<ref>{{cite web|title=Let Your Hair Down – Idiom, Meaning and Origin|url=https://grammarist.com/idiom/let-ones-hair-down|accessdate=8 January 2025}}</ref>
* Let one's hair down<ref>{{cite web|title=Let Your Hair Down – Idiom, Meaning and Origin|url=https://grammarist.com/idiom/let-ones-hair-down|access-date=8 January 2025}}</ref>
* [[wikt:three sheets to the wind|Three sheets to the wind]] (refers to a storm-tossed sailing ship)
* [[wikt:three sheets to the wind|Three sheets to the wind]] (refers to a storm-tossed sailing ship)
* To take a parting shot<ref name="BBC Culture" /> ([[Parthian shot]])
* To take a parting shot<ref name="BBC Culture" /> ([[Parthian shot]])
* [[Patch_(computing)#History|Patching code]] (refers to paper tape)
* [[Patch (computing)#History|Patching code]] (refers to paper tape)
* [[wikt:pull out all the stops#Etymology|Pull out all the stops]] (in reference to a [[pipe organ]])
* [[wikt:pull out all the stops#Etymology|Pull out all the stops]] (in reference to a [[pipe organ]])
* [[wikt:rewind#Verb|Rewind]] (in reference to [[magnetic tape]])
* [[wikt:rewind#Verb|Rewind]] (in reference to [[magnetic tape]])
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* Sound like a [[wikt:broken record#English|broken record]]
* Sound like a [[wikt:broken record#English|broken record]]
* To [[wikt:tape#Verb|tape]] something (to record)
* To [[wikt:tape#Verb|tape]] something (to record)
* Time is running out (in reference to an hourglass)<ref>{{cite web|title=dead metaphor|url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dead%20metaphor|website=Merriam-Webster|accessdate=20 November 2014}}</ref>
* Time is running out (in reference to an hourglass)<ref>{{cite web|title=dead metaphor|url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dead%20metaphor|website=Merriam-Webster|access-date=20 November 2014}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Metaphors by type]]
[[Category:Metaphors by type]]
{{ling-stub}}

Latest revision as of 01:29, 1 July 2025

Template:Short description A dead metaphor is a figure of speech which has lost the original imagery of its meaning by extensive, repetitive, and popular usage, or because it refers to an obsolete technology or forgotten custom. Because dead metaphors have a conventional meaning that differs from the original, they can be understood without knowing their earlier connotation.

Description

Dead metaphors are generally the result of a semantic shift in the evolution of a language,[1] a process called the literalization of a metaphor.[2] A distinction is often made between those dead metaphors whose origins are entirely unknown to the majority of people using them (such as the expression "to kick the bucket") and those whose source is widely known or symbolism easily understood but not often thought about (the idea of "falling in love").

The long-standing metaphorical application of a term can similarly lose their metaphorical quality, coming simply to denote a larger application of the term. The wings of a plane now no longer seem to metaphorically refer to a bird's wings; rather, the term 'wing' was expanded to include non-living things. Similarly, the legs of a chair is no longer a metaphor but an expansion of the term "leg" to include any supporting pillar.

There is debate among literary scholars whether so-called "dead metaphors" are dead or are metaphors. Literary scholar R.W. Gibbs noted that for a metaphor to be dead, it would necessarily lose the metaphorical qualities that it comprises. These qualities, however, still remain. A person can understand the expression "falling head-over-heels in love" even if they have never encountered that variant of the phrase "falling in love". Analytic philosopher Max Black argued that the dead metaphor should not be considered a metaphor at all, but rather classified as a separate vocabulary item.[3]

In addition, philosophers such as Colin Murray Turbayne and Kendall Walton have outlined the manner in which "dead metaphors" may continue to exert influence upon a user's thoughts long after their metaphorical properties have seemingly vanished. Their research illustrates the manner in which "dead metaphors" have often become incorporated into accepted scientific and philosophical theories while also contributing to considerable obfuscation of thought over time.[4][5][6][7]

Examples

References

Template:Sister project Template:Reflist

  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ David Snowball, Continuity and Change in the Rhetoric of the Moral Majority, p.126
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ Dictionary of Modern American Philosophers Shook, John. 2005 p. 2451 Biography of Colin Murray Turbayne on Google Books
  5. ↑ "Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Metaphor" Stanford University, August 19, 2011 Revised August 12, 2022 "Section 5. Recent Developments 5.3 Metaphor and Make Believe" ISSN 1095-5054. Metaphor, Colin Turbayne and Kendall Walton. See Hills, David, "Metaphor", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2024 Edition), Edward N. Zalta & Uri Nodelman (eds.), URL = <https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/fall2024/entries/metaphor/>. on plato.stanford.edu
  6. ↑ "Mind as Metaphor A Defense of Mental Fictionalism". Toon, Adam. OPU Oxford 2023 ebook isbn 9780198879671 "Chapter 1 Making Up Minds 1.3 Mind as Metaphor 1.3.1 Metaphor and Make-believe" p. 15-18 Kendall Walton on Google Books
  7. ↑ "In Other Shoes: Music, Metaphor, Empathy, Existence." Walton, Kendall L. 2015 Oxford University Press New York pp. 175-195 "Chapter 10 Metaphor and Prop Oriented Make-Believe" ISBN 978-0-19-509871-6 on Google Scholar
  8. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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