Golf Metaphors 101 – From Fairway to Boardroom
I didn’t understand golf metaphors when I first entered corporate America. I’d sit in meetings hearing phrases like “that’s just par for the course” or “we’re on the back nine,” or “deals teed up”...
Metaphors, Culture and Symbols Blog
Sports and Military Metaphors in Politics
How American Campaign Language Frames Power If you listened to political coverage without context, you might think you were watching ESPN or the History Channel. Candidates “throw curveballs.” They aim for “political home runs”,...
Fantasy Folklore Mythical Metaphors 101
Unicorn, The Midas touch, Leprechauns guarding pot of Gold at the end of Rainbow, El Dorado, Face that launched a thousand ships, Milli Helen, Trojan Horse, Gremlins in my Computer, Volatility Gremlins Quoting Joseph...
Religious Origin Metaphors 401 God
Hand of God. God of Cricket, God’s gift to Mankind, God Forsaken, Man Proposes God Disposes, God helps those who help themselves, God works in mysterious ways, Put the fear of God into someone,...
Religious Origin Metaphors 301 God
Nectar of the Gods, Act of God , Greek God, God’s Country, Godspeed, Fit for the Gods, Alpha and Omega, Act of God (Force Majeure), Taking God’s name in Vain, As God is my...
Religious Origin Metaphors 101 Devil
Devil’s Advocate, Devil Incarnate, Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, Better the Devil you know, Devil-may-care, Daredevil, Making a Deal with the Devil, Devil to Pay, Selling Your Soul to the Devil,...
Religious Origin Metaphors 201 Angel Heaven
Angel Investor, Angel in Disguise, Deals made in Hell aren’t witnessed by Angels, Fools Rush in where Angels fear to Tread, Fallen Angel, Halo Effect, Get it’s Wings, Angel of Death, Seventh Heaven, Nirvana,...
Cricket Metaphors 101
I grew up on a diet of cricket in India, and media in cricket-loving countries use cricket related metaphors all around. When I immigrated to the US, I didn’t recognize baseball metaphors until I’d...
Metaphors that shape Political Character and Behavior
Strange Bedfellows and Political Witch Hunts Politics is rarely just about policy. It’s about stories, symbols, and the metaphors we reach for when trying to make sense of power. If you’ve ever heard that...
How Color, Nature, and Navigation Shape Political Metaphors
From Red Waves to Political Crossroads Political language is rarely literal. Elections are not just counted – they surge, collapse, crumble, or sweep. Candidates don’t merely compete – they stay the course, turn the...