Boxing Metaphors 101
Boxing has come a long way in America, from it’s golden days of legends as Muhammad Ali and Evander Holyfield in the second half of the 19th century. The 20th century has seen much of its glory snatched away by Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). However, one thing has not changed and that is the wide usage of Boxing metaphors and catch phrases in everyday language.
Boxing Metaphors in News Headlines
A quick scan of recent news headlines shows that boxing metaphors are used in reporting of business, politics, trade .. pretty much everywhere.
China Will Dominate High-Tech Unless the United States Takes Off the Gloves
It’s a knockout: how the English language is rife with boxing metaphors
Amazon, Facebook, and Google come out swinging after being slammed with an ‘unjustifiable’ new tax on their sales
Time to Throw In the Towel on Biosimilars
Boxing Metaphors in Tablet Wars
Another great example is below, where I quote from a blogpost discussing tablet wars.
The tablet wars just got tougher. Before, Apple was duking it out with Samsung, and Amazon but now there’s a new contender for the crown of best tablet. Google have entered the ring with the Nexus 7. Apple used to be the undisputed heavyweight tablet champion but then came along Samsung who became a serious contender. Yes, Apple created the whole market and is incredibly popular due to quality of product but Samsung now sell more tablets some say. Google are now going head to head with Apple to become the number 1 tablet producer. Their tablet may be smaller but is a lot cheaper. Both companies are now trading punches in the advertising war. The web is full of comparisons saying which is best and why. It seems like nobody is holding any punches. Sales and orders of the Nexus are so big that Google can’t deal with them. People are even calling the Nexus the iPad killer, saying that the Nexus is a real knock out. It looks great and is very comfortable to hold. Make no mistake, the gloves are offand both companies are coming out fighting. With big companies like these seeking world domination they take no prisoners. At the moment it seems like round 1 goes to the Nexus but Apple isn’t ready to throw the towel in just yet. Rumours are that an iPad is about to throw the next punch as the iPad mini will be launched soon. It looks like Apple are not out for the count yet.
And check this one from a blogpost that discusses how rife the English language is with Boxing Metaphors.
More Examples of Boxing Metaphors in Everyday Language
We like to say that we will come out swinging, pack a punch and, hopefully, beat our opponent to the punch. But we must remember to play fair and not hit below the belt – a low blow is unsportsmanlike. There is a time to pull our punches and a time to let loose; give an honest opinion, even if it upsets or offends. And when the gloves are off, no restraint or mercy is shown. By stunning our opponent with a blow for a 10-count, we hope to win by a knockout. In adverse circumstances, we roll with the punches to adapt, and aim not to end up on the ropes, near collapse or defeat. If we can’t stand up after a hard blow, we are down or out for the count.
Like me, you may be mistaken into thinking that the metaphor “come out swinging” originated from baseball. But it has it’s origins from boxing. Of course, I didn’t have a clue why “to duke it out” referred to putting up your fists and preparing from a fight until I read the history and origin of the phrase. A vulnerability referred to as a “glass jaw” made sense once I realized that a boxer’ limited ability to absorb blows on the chin made them a soft target for knockout blows.
Boxing Day
One thing that is not celebrated in the US is Boxing Day, which refers to the day after Christmas . This is celebrated in most current and former English colonies such as Canada, Australia and Great Britain. This holiday does not have anything to do with the pugilistic sport of boxing; however it was traditionally celebrated when servants received “boxed” gifts from their masters. It has now been commercialized and turned into one of the busiest shopping days in those countries similar to Thanksgiving.
Boxing metaphors in Politics
To read up on boxing metaphors used in politics, such as “rope-a-dope“, “on the ropes“, “slug it out” and others, check out my blog post on Political Metaphors – Part II.
For many more metaphors, check out my blog post on Football Metaphors , Baseball Metaphors, Political Metaphors-Part I and Political Metaphors-Part III