Absolute metaphor

Techniques > Use of language > Metaphor > Absolute metaphor

Method | Example | Discussion | See also

Description

An absolute metaphor is one where there is absolutely no connection between the subject and the metaphor.

Example

I am the dog end of every day.

That is worth less than a dead digeridoo.

We faced a scallywag of tasks.

Discussion

In a non-absolute metaphor, the basic idea and the metaphor have some resemblance, for example using 'box' as a metaphor for 'house' or 'tube' for 'train'.

A value of an absolute metaphor is in the way that it can confuse and hence make people think hard about the meaning of something. We seek always to find some meaning and hence some learning may arise.

Absolute metaphors are also useful when you are at a loss for words. They can thus communicate frustration, confusion and uncertainty.

The absolute metaphor is also known as a paralogical metaphor or antimetaphor.