Litiquette VII

[ChainedUp]

Time to bring back the Friday quickie!

Metaphors, analogies, examples...are those the tools of the lazy, looking for ways to explain what they cannot. Or are they the tools of poets, giving us beauty in words?

 

[beachbaby179]

As someone who does "sort of" public speaking for a living, I find my arsenal of analogies to be invaluable. If you're trying to explain a concept, it's much easier if you can relate it to something your audience already knows, and then build on that until they understand the new information. Everyone's brains work differently and I always try to have multiple ways to explain something.

And for the record, fireflies are beautiful, magical and I love sitting outside in June and watching them find each other. The cat enjoys them too. Nature's lasers.

 

[Misanthrope4Life]

Sometimes people try too hard, to be witty and wise, but if it fits the situation, then it can be a motivating and teaching tool. If we're speaking in a professional environment or an important task, then it should be explained simplistically as possible, for all to understand. It's important to be given guidelines, step by step in a professional environment and when explaining tasks of importance.

If we're speaking of informal situations or less rigid tasks, then metaphors and analogies are very useful

 

[LurkingPhoenix]

Time to bring back the Friday quickie!

Metaphors, analogies, examples...are those the tools of the lazy, looking for ways to explain what they cannot. Or are they the tools of poets, giving us beauty in words?

As a verbose motherfucker, I find metaphors and analogies to be useful to connect with the person being spoken to. What better way to connect and make the person you're talking to see your point than with a parallel, direct or indirect, in their experience?

Words ARE beauty. And poets might be fools, but so are we all. But the right words aren't always the flowery ones.

You can opine about your desire for another in paragraphs with similes and metaphors galore, with depth and description . But, "I want you. I crave you. Now" can have the stronger, more meaningful effect.

 

[SMNaughtywife]

All I know is the word “ummmm” is neither.
Hearing this word over and over again when people talk drives me bat shit crazy!
I’ve even counted how many times it’s said when I hear conversations.

If one has said “ummm” more than 3X in 15 seconds- please stop and think about what you want to say before you speak. Start over for the love of pink fuzzy flamingos because I’m done listening.

It’s like a bad habit and pretty much equivalent to public nose picking.
There’s no “ummms” said in my house just like “it’s not fair” doesn’t fly.

 

[rubydlite]

I think they're clever as fuck and are a useful tool when you're trying to convey a message and the other person just doesn't get it. I believe the key to being a good speaker is to know your audience and use words and descriptions that are familiar to them. I don't think it's lazy at all.

I'm going to second this because it's true!

 

[Endless_Night]

I like and use metaphors and analogies. Colorful and useful tools. Unless they get overused and slide into the realm of platitudes and cliches.

I've seen people who can't seem to articulate an idea or carry on a conversation without some form of patented expression. A situation that leaves me wondering if they're capable of original thought.

 

[Dribble]

I think it about the motive behind their use. If pure...the analogy fits. If not, it seems fake

 

[aussiegeekygal]

I find analogies exhausting.

I'm quite literal and it's a lot of effort to figure out what the person I'm talking to is trying to say. I often think to myself "just say what you bloody mean already".

 

[Mr_bogey]

Time to bring back the Friday quickie!

Metaphors, analogies, examples...are those the tools of the lazy, looking for ways to explain what they cannot. Or are they the tools of poets, giving us beauty in words?

I think I'd rather talk about fireflies. Naughty wife needs to change her name to mean mom. Who doesn't let their kids catch fireflies?

As far as the question, like many things, they have their place and, in it, can truly enhance speech or the written word. The issue comes in because there is a tendency to overuse/abuse and that causes them to become cheap/worn.

No hyperbole, otoh....

 

[SMNaughtywife]

I think I'd rather talk about fireflies. Naughty wife needs to change her name to mean mom. Who doesn't let their kids catch fireflies?

As far as the question, like many things, they have their place and, in it, can truly enhance speech or the written word. The issue comes in because there is a tendency to overuse/abuse and that causes them to become cheap/worn.

No hyperbole, otoh....

Slaps your ass.

A child’s compassion for living things and preserving nature is reliant on their parent’s guidance. This goes further than catching fireflies and killing insects for entertainment to me. Instilling benevolence for people, animals, different views and tolerance in the world. It’s all connected in my book.

Yeah my boys never caught fireflies in a mason jar, but they can point out the difference between male and female light patterns and how they dance together during the dark summer nights.

I’ll trust in your comment was said lighthearted, but tread lightly.
Your “mean mom” and questioning my parenting and my “mean mom for not letting my kids catch fireflies” are two very different statements.
I’m sweet as ever, but do not think it’s okay to pass judgement on someone, and especially me.

 

[tnman03]

Slaps your ass.

A child’s compassion for living things and preserving nature is reliant on their parent’s guidance. This goes further than catching fireflies and killing insects for entertainment to me. Instilling benevolence for people, animals, different views and tolerance in the world. It’s all connected in my book.

Yeah my boys never caught fireflies in a mason jar, but they can point out the difference between male and female light patterns and how they dance together during the dark summer nights.

I’ll trust in your comment was said lighthearted, but tread lightly.
Your “mean mom” and questioning my parenting and my “mean mom for not letting my kids catch fireflies” are two very different statements.
I’m sweet as ever, but do not think it’s okay to pass judgement on someone, and especially me.

OK, you've earned extra cool points!!! I'd sit out in the yard with you after a cookout with a cooler of beer while watching fireflies. The difference in the light patterns would be a good discussion with anyone and everyone else who were present.

 

[Froya]

Time to bring back the Friday quickie!

Metaphors, analogies, examples...are those the tools of the lazy, looking for ways to explain what they cannot. Or are they the tools of poets, giving us beauty in words?

Saying something in a different way can get attention and may change someone's understanding of what you're saying. That can be for the better or can cause additional challenges. But, it's an effective tool for those who use it well.

When it comes to beauty, that, as always, is in the eye of the beholder.

Personally, I'm often a fan. I enjoy color and interest in language.

Happy weekend, everyone.

 

[Trekka]

No question yet today?
K.
I’ll pose one. In my own unique and silly style.
Hope Papa C doesn’t mind.

We’re gonna dive deep today.

What’s your favorite kind of cake and why? Describe in lurid detail!

 

[StacyLeigh]

No question yet today?
K.
I’ll pose one. In my own unique and silly style.
Hope Papa C doesn’t mind.

We’re gonna dive deep today.

What’s your favorite kind of cake and why? Describe in lurid detail!

Best question yet

While I love chocolate, my go-to is a honey-pineapple upside-down cake. A lot like a tradition version - except it’s made in a cast iron pan (so the sugar caramelizes really well) and you drizzle a warm honey glaze over it when you’re ready to serve. It’s a Southern Living steal from years ago.

 

[LurkingPhoenix]

What’s your favorite kind of cake and why? Describe in lurid detail!

Yes.

 

[Trekka]

Best question yet

While I love chocolate, my go-to is a honey-pineapple upside-down cake. A lot like a tradition version - except it’s made in a cast iron pan (so the sugar caramelizes really well) and you drizzle a warm honey glaze over it when you’re ready to serve. It’s a Southern Living steal from years ago.

Oooooh oh oh oh....!
Might need that recipe.
That sounds *divine*

 

[Dribble]

Best question yet

While I love chocolate, my go-to is a honey-pineapple upside-down cake. A lot like a tradition version - except it’s made in a cast iron pan (so the sugar caramelizes really well) and you drizzle a warm honey glaze over it when you’re ready to serve. It’s a Southern Living steal from years ago.

Oh my God...I have to change my pants...this sounds good enough i will try it. Think i will use brown sugar w a few drops of molasses.

 

[Rapha1979]

What’s your favorite kind of cake and why? Describe in lurid detail!

It has to be coffee and walnut cake. Because coffee and cake are just natural bedfellows and the walnut is the king of nuts when it comes to a ‘nut with sweet stuff’ context. End of discussion.

Except I quite like carrot cake. And I did have a chocolate cake with Ferrero Rocher and Guerlain praline seashells for my last birthday which was pretty epic.

Actually, I think I just love cake.

 

[tnman03]

What’s your favorite kind of cake and why? Describe in lurid detail!

Fresh, super moist fully frosted scratch-made German chocolate cake. I fell in love with it as a little boy and it's what I got for my birthday suppers with my family. So there are lots of memories, even though I haven't had a slice of the stuff in years.

 

[Trekka]

It has to be coffee and walnut cake. Because coffee and cake are just natural bedfellows and the walnut is the king of nuts when it comes to a ‘nut with sweet stuff’ context. End of discussion.

Except I quite like carrot cake. And I did have a chocolate cake with Ferrero Rocher and Guerlain praline seashells for my last birthday which was pretty epic.

Actually, I think I just love cake.

One word: Tiramisu.

 

[StacyLeigh]

Oooooh oh oh oh....!
Might need that recipe.
That sounds *divine*

Oh my God...I have to change my pants...this sounds good enough i will try it. Think i will use brown sugar w a few drops of molasses.

https://www.southernliving.com/syndication/pineapple-upside-down-cake-1

Enjoy

 

[aussiegeekygal]

Every year on my birthday I got to choose my cake. Every year it was black forest gateau. So delicious.

I'm also partial to a really creamy cheesecake.

And I'm loving this question. It is surprisingly very revealing to read these answers.

 

[SMNaughtywife]

I’m torn between a triple chocolate espresso bundt cake with a dark chocolate ganache frosting. Or a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting.
Homemade. Nothing out of a box or a store.

 

[Froya]

It would seem I don't have a favorite cake. No one cake leapt to mind. About half a dozen just started competing for attention. And now I want cake.