Presidential figures of speech
Oct 15th 2012, 14:31 by The Economist online
The use of language in the first round of America's presidential debates
POLITICANS are often criticised for not saying what they mean, but a look at the literal meaning of what they say can be revealing. The first round of America's presidential debate is no exception, awash with vivid metaphors and colourful expressions. Mitt Romney's use of language was more consistent. He outlined America's current problems and then presented voters with a choice. American families were weighed down, being “buried”, “crushed” and “hurt”. The candidate offered a “very different path”. The president, by contrast, used a wider variety of metaphors. Initially Mr Obama was a chef seeking “a recipe for growth” and a bartender concerned with who would “pick up the tab” for debt. At other times he was a sailor who had helped to “weather” the recession or a boxer willing to “fight every single day”. For Mr Obama, opportunity could be reached up ladders, on frameworks, through doors and gateways. Of course, no journalist would muddy the waters of a message with such a mixed bag of metaphors. As both candidates prepare for tomorrow's town hall debate, The Economist humbly offers this link to the section on the correct use of metaphor in our style guide.
POLITICANS are often criticised for not saying what they mean, but a look at the literal meaning of what they say can be revealing. The first round of America's presidential debate is no exception, awash with vivid metaphors and colourful expressions. Mitt Romney's use of language was more consistent. He outlined America's current problems and then presented voters with a choice. American families were weighed down, being “buried”, “crushed” and “hurt”. The candidate offered a “very different path”. The president, by contrast, used a wider variety of metaphors. Initially Mr Obama was a chef seeking “a recipe for growth” and a bartender concerned with who would “pick up the tab” for debt. At other times he was a sailor who had helped to “weather” the recession or a boxer willing to “fight every single day”. For Mr Obama, opportunity could be reached up ladders, on frameworks, through doors and gateways. Of course, no journalist would muddy the waters of a message with such a mixed bag of metaphors. As both candidates prepare for tomorrow's town hall debate, The Economist humbly offers this link to the section on the correct use of metaphor in our style guide.
weigh in with her intellectual heft
high-concept
(hī'kŏn'sĕpt')
adj.
Designed to appeal to a mass audience, as by incorporating popular, glamorous features: a high-concept screenplay.
heft
n.
Weight; heaviness; bulk.
v., heft·ed, heft·ing, hefts. v.tr.
- To lift (something) in order to judge or estimate its weight.
- To hoist (something); heave.
To have a given weight; weigh.
[Middle English, from heven, to lift. See heave.]
- figure of speech
- 1 《修辞学》比喩（的表現）, 文彩：直喩(simile), 隠喩(metaphor)など.2 言葉のあや.
amorous[am・o・rous]
- 発音記号[ǽmərəs]
[形]
1 好色な, 多情な
amorous affairs
情事.
情事.
2 （人に）ほれ込んでいる, 恋いこがれている((of ...)).
3 〈態度などが〉色っぽい, なまめかしい, あだっぽい
amorous glances
色目, 秋波.
色目, 秋波.
am・o・rous・ly
[副]言い寄りたそうに.
am・o・rous・ness
[名]
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