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Inverse of metaphor

08-12-2009 08:11PM

#1

Blisterman

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What is the inverse of metaphor?

In the sense

if A is a metaphor for B
then B is a xxxx for A

Is there a word for this?

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Comments

#2 08-12-2009 08:20PM

Davao8000

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Posts: 44

Not sure if there is word for it.

Metaphors are usually asymmetrical. If you say your surgeon is a butcher it is negative (an incompetent surgeon) but if you say your buther is a surgeon it is postive (butcher is highly-skilled). Because of the asymmetry there not be a word for it.

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#3 08-12-2009 10:56PM

pickarooney

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Posts: 35236

Moved to English.

I can't think of anything more appropriate than 'referent' myself.

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