Archive for April, 2011
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Posted by Stephen Bullon on April 19, 2011
A recent addition to the Open Dictionary is the word demirep. It’s not a new word – in fact it’s been around since at least 1749 when Henry Fielding used the term in his novel Tom Jones: ‘… he had no knowledge of that character which is vulgarly called a demirep.’ But it must have [...]
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Posted by Macmillan Dictionary on April 18, 2011
Last week we had a look at some examples of common metaphorical language in English. This week, from Monday through to Friday, the microblog feature will bring you ideas on how to teach (about) metaphor in the classroom. Here is our first metaphor teaching tip of the week in the form of a couple of [...]
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Posted by Dan Clayton on April 18, 2011
In our next guest post in metaphor month Dan Clayton talks about metaphor in politics. Dan is an English teacher and a Research Fellow at UCL’s Survey of English Usage on the Teaching English Grammar in Schools project. He blogs over on English Language @ SFX. ______________ Politics is a game of ‘competing truths’, claimed [...]
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Posted by Macmillan Dictionary on April 17, 2011
Metaphors for ideas An idea or theory is like a building or structure. Developing an idea is like building something, and destroying an idea is like destroying a building. For example: It was a carefully constructed theory. She completely demolished his argument. The theory collapsed/fell apart after he produced new data. An idea is also [...]
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Posted by Macmillan Dictionary on April 16, 2011
Metaphors for knowledge Getting knowledge about something is like making a map of a place or like travelling there. Teaching someone is like showing them how to reach a place. For example: In today’s class, I will map out the most important concepts. It is an excellent guide to English vocabulary. The program allows you [...]
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Posted by Macmillan Dictionary on April 15, 2011
Metaphors for conversation A conversation or discussion is like a journey, with the speakers going from one place to another, e.g.: Let’s go back to what you were saying earlier. I can’t quite see where you’re heading. The conversation took an unexpected turn/direction. You’re on the right/wrong track. For more metaphor examples, see the word [...]
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Posted by Stan Carey on April 15, 2011
Metaphorical English month continues with a post by our regular guest blogger Stan Carey. Stan writes on language on his own blog Sentence first and tweets @StanCarey. ___________ I was introduced to metaphor as a technique in writing or speech whereby something is described in terms of another thing. It might be an evocative idea [...]
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Posted by Macmillan Dictionary on April 14, 2011
Metaphors for secret To keep something secret is like covering it, or putting it in a container, so that other people cannot see it, e.g.: She accused him of covering up the truth. He tried to mask/disguise/camouflage his true feelings. She wanted to bury the memory of that day. The project is still under wraps. [...]
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Posted by Macmillan Dictionary on April 13, 2011
Metaphors for enthusiasm Enthusiasm and excitement are like heat and a lack of enthusiasm and excitement is like cold or wet: It’s the hottest show in town. Things heated up/hotted up as soon as the music started. Her response to the suggestion was tepid. She poured cold water on all my suggestions. For more metaphor [...]
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Posted by Dan Clayton on April 13, 2011
Our next guest post on the topic of metaphor comes from Dan Clayton, an English teacher and a Research Fellow at UCL’s Survey of English Usage on the Teaching English Grammar in Schools project. Dan’s A level Language blog English Language @ SFX can be found here. ________ James Geary told us on Monday that [...]
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