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Contrastive Analysis of Cross-Cultural Metaphors Researched and Compiled by Leon 2003
The best book I've ever read about metaphors:
Metaphor Jargon:
About This Page
Foreword
The List Begins Here:
VEGETABLE METAPHORS: Vehicle: plant (n.) US ground: none UK ground: none AU ground: none CA ground: none DU ground: comatose person RU ground: KO ground: comatose person JA ground: SP ground: comatose person Vehicle: vegetable US ground: comatose person (not nice); (sometimes) quadriplegic (not nice) UK ground: same (not politically correct term) AU ground: same CA ground: same; "vegitate" (to act like a vegetable, i.e., no physical movement and little brain activity) [also "to veg". I imagine all English (L1) countries are the same] DU ground: none RU ground: none KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: same
Vehicle: lettuce US ground: none UK ground: none AU ground: prob. none CA ground: (maybe) money (but not sure) DU ground: "lettuce bowl" = mouth RU ground: none KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: cabbage US ground: none, but a few years ago, there were some cabbage patch dolls, and the baby dolls came from, or were born in a cabbage patch. This is very interesting to me, because of the Dutch and Russian metaphors for cabbage patch. UK ground: none AU ground: CA ground: none DU ground: place babies come from RU ground: money, which is so outdated as to be worthless [due to inflation]; (also) place babies come from KO ground: "cabbage head" = a person with a hair-style where the hair is chin-length and curls up-outward [thus, looking like Korean cabbage] JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: potato US ground: "couch potato" = a person who is inactive (usually because of sitting on a couch and watching TV all day + usually the person has the shape like a potatoe); "hot potato" = an issue which is very provocative (usually so provocative that no one wants to "touch"/discuss it) UK ground: same AU ground: same CA ground: same DU ground: weird person RU ground: none KO ground: person from the Gang Weon Province of South Korea (as potatoes are the main product from that region); OR person with body like a potato (rare) JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: carrot US ground: "carrot on a stick" = incentive or lure; "carrot-top" = person with "red" hair (red meaning orange) UK ground: incentive AU ground: prob. same as UK CA ground: prob. same as US DU ground: "to shit carrots" = to be afraid [US equivalent: "to shit bricks"] RU ground: KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: quiet, innocent person Vehicle: radish / turnip US ground: none UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: RU ground: "radish" = a bad person [from a famous Soviet comedy] KO ground: JA ground: SP ground: none VEGETABLES (WHICH ARE TECHNICALLY FRUITS) METAPHORS: Vehicle: squash Special Note: American squash is any edible fruit of the gourd family, including pumpkin squash, zucchini squash, canary squash, butter squash, etc. The American word is etymologically from the Narraganset (an American Indian Tribe) word: isquoutersquash; and, is a shortened version of the same. US ground: none UK ground: none AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: RU ground: KO ground: JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: tomato US ground: none UK ground: none AU ground: none CA ground: none DU ground: none RU ground: rich, mean, greedy snob/aristocrat (us. man) [from Italian Novel: "Signor Pomidor", by Jianni Rodari] KO ground: none JA ground: [simile] red like a tomato = embarrassed Vehicle: chili pepper US ground: none UK ground: none AU ground: none CA ground: none DU ground: hotheaded person (bad tempered person) RU ground: "baby chili pepper" = a special feature of a woman that makes her more attractive KO ground: (for children only) penis; (for all) "small chili pepper" = small person or thing, which has great power or potential [from the Korean proverb: "Small chili peppers are spicy-hot!"] JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: bell pepper US ground: none UK ground: none AU ground: none CA ground: none DU ground: none RU ground: KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: cucumber US ground: (rare) penis UK ground: none AU ground: same as US, but extremely rare CA ground: prob. same as US, but extremely rare DU ground: (sometimes) weird person RU ground: none KO ground: [simile] "cucumber-like face" = acne face JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: pickle US ground: a no-win situation [i.e., a situation with two choices, but neither choice is appealing] UK ground: a difficult situation with no obvious solution AU ground: same as US; (also) "dill pickle" = silly or trivial CA ground: same as US and same as UK DU ground: weird person RU ground: none KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: pumpkin US ground: cute, little child (term of endearment) UK ground: none AU ground: none CA ground: prob. same DU ground: none RU ground: none KO ground: ugly woman JA ground: SP ground: an idiotic belle Vehicle: zucchini [US] / courgette [UK] US ground: none UK ground: none AU ground: none CA ground: none DU ground: none RU ground: none KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: gourd US ground: none UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: RU ground: KO ground: a 'rip-off' [from the Korean expression: "to use a gourd-scoop", which means to get ripped off.] JA ground: SP ground: none FRUIT METAPHORS: Vehicle: fruit US ground: (dated) strange person; (rare) a gay person (not politically correct) UK ground: same AU ground: "bag of fruit" = suit (rhyming slang) CA ground: prob. same as US DU ground: none RU ground: cunning person, who gets what he/she wants by any means possible KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: apple US ground: "apple of one's eye" = one's most cherished person; "The Big Apple" = New York; "rotten apple" = a bad person in a group [from English proverb: "One rotten apple spoils the whole bunch."]; (Note: this is not typically a linguistic metaphor, but from the Bible, the forbidden fruit (a metaphor for premarital consummation, or sex in general) is typically thought to be an apple. And coming from a Christian upbringing, I sometimes use it as a linguistic metaphor. Example: "I would like to partake of the apple tonight." But, that could just be me.] UK ground: same (except the sex part) AU ground: same (except the sex part) CA ground: same (except the sex part) DU ground: none RU ground: center of archery target KO ground: [simile] apple-like cheeks = red cheeks JA ground: SP ground: [simile] apple-cheeked = all life red cheeks Vehicle: apricot US ground: none UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: RU ground: KO ground: "dog-apricot" = a machine that looks good upon exterior inspection, but breaks down soon after purchase [see "dog"] JA ground: SP ground: dummy Vehicle: lemon US ground: machine (usually, an automobile) that breaks down shortly after purchase UK ground: same; but also: any situation that turns out to be less than expected; finally, can be used for one's self when feeling foolish about a stupid action AU ground: same as UK CA ground: same as UK DU ground: none RU ground: million of basic currency KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: cherry US ground: virgin (vulgar) [possibly used metonymously, as the cherry is a metaphor for the untouched hymen, from the expression "to pop one's cherry"]. UK ground: same (but not common) AU ground: same CA ground: same DU ground: none RU ground: none KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: grape(s) US ground: "sour grapes" = envy [prob. from Aesop's Fable] UK ground: same AU ground: "sour grapes" = bad feeling when a relationship goes wrong CA ground: same as US, UK DU ground: RU ground: KO ground: JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: melon US ground: head UK ground: (pl.) women's breasts AU ground: none CA ground: same as US DU ground: none RU ground: (rare) head KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: same as US Vehicle: watermelon US ground: none UK ground: none AU ground: none CA ground: none DU ground: none RU ground: none KO ground: [There is a Korean fable, and the moral of the story is: "A pumpkin cannot become a watermelon, simply by painting stripes." AND, since pumpkin is a metaphor for an ugly woman, watermelon has come to be a metaphor for a beautiful woman, but only used linguistically when quoting the moral of the story.] JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: nut US ground: crazy person (facetious) [EX. from the movie: "The Nutty Professor"] UK ground: same [also: "nutter", and "nuthead"] AU ground: same as US CA ground: same as US DU ground: none RU ground: none KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: nuts US ground: (not common) testicles UK ground: same; (also) "nuts" = crazy [EX. You must be nuts! (prob. same in all English (L1) countries)] AU ground: same CA ground: same DU ground: "chestnuts" = testicles RU ground: none KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: an inactive person Vehicle: peach US ground: (outdated) a pretty girl UK ground: same AU ground: same; (sometimes) some event that transpires well CA ground: same as AU DU ground: [simile] "peach-like skin" = fine skin RU ground: young, virgin girl KO ground: [simile] "peach-like girl" = a young, attractive, naive girl; (sometimes) "peach-like skin" = fuzzy skin JA ground: SP ground: melocotoncito = sweetheart Vehicle: strawberry US ground: none UK ground: none AU ground: none CA ground: none DU ground: [simile] "strawberry-like nose" = red nose (from drinking alcohol) RU ground: KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none
Vehicle: pineapple US ground: none UK ground: none AU ground: none CA ground: none DU ground: ? RU ground: ? KO ground: ? JA ground: ? SP ground: unlucky person
4-LEGGED ANIMAL METAPHORS: Vehicle: fox US ground: (somewhat dated) a beautiful, sexy woman UK ground: a sly person AU ground: a cunning person CA ground: a sneaky person DU ground: a shrewd person RU ground: a smart, cunning woman KO ground: a smart, cunning woman JA ground: SP ground: expert Vehicle: pig/hog/swine US ground: "pig" = dirty, sloppy person OR police officer (both insulting); "hog" = greedy person (also v.t.); "swine" = detestable person; "porker" person who eats too much UK ground: "pig" = mannerless (impolite) person OR police officer (both insulting); "hog" and "swine" ... same as US AU ground: "pig" = dirty person OR detestable person; "hog" as v.t. = to hoard ((sth)) [prob same in all English (L1) countries] CA ground: same as US DU ground: "pig" = dirty, sloppy person RU ground: same as DU KO ground: "pig" = fat person, or person who eats too much JA ground: SP ground: cerdo = person who gormandizes; puerco = dirty person; chancho = fat person Vehicle: sow (female pig) US ground: (rare) dirty, sloppy woman UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: ugly woman RU ground: KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: boar (wild pig) US ground: none UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: RU ground: KO ground: [simile] "boar-like man" = heavy-set, wild, unsophisticated man JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: dog US ground: ugly woman / bad man UK ground: ugly woman AU ground: ugly woman; sth mucked up [prob. from "dog breakfast"] CA ground: ugly woman DU ground: mean (low) person RU ground: bad person KO ground: mean (low) AND contemptible thing [ must collocate with sth. EX. "dog-man" = contemptible man, "dog-offspring" = worse than contemptible person, "dog-executioner" = the worst insult to a person in Korea, "dog-dream" = non-sensical dream (see also apricot)]. JA ground: SP ground: perro = bad man Vehicle: pup/puppy US ground: cute, often obsequious person [I sometimes call my son "my little puppy" as he follows me around everywhere]; "puppy-dog eyes" = penitent-looking eyes UK ground: none (but I suspect "puppy-dog eyes" is the same) AU ground: same as US CA ground: same as US DU ground: none RU ground: bad person (similar to "dog", but said to an inferior-status person) KO ground: cute, loveable person [us. Korean mothers call their babies "my puppy"; (and sometimes) lovers call each other "puppies"] JA ground: SP ground: cachorro = novice Vehicle: bitch (female dog) US ground: a bad woman; (sometimes) a whore [used by men]; (when women use it) = very bad woman; (when transsexuals use it for each other) = term of endearment UK ground: really nasty woman who says vile things about others AU ground: sb who is sharp-tongued and outrageous; (sometimes) used as begrudging admiration by both genders toward both genders CA ground: same as US and UK DU ground: same as US and UK RU ground: same as US KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: perra (puta) = whore Vehicle: cat/puss/pussy US ground: "cat" = expert jazz player (used by jazz musicians); "puss" a weak, cowardly man; "pussy" = external, female genitalia (vulgar) UK ground: same as US AU ground: "pussy" = same as US, but used metonymously to refer to the whole woman; "puss" or "pussy" = a man who is easily swayed (a pushover) CA ground: same as US DU ground: "cat" = a wicked woman RU ground: "tim-cat" = a man with strong sex appeal KO ground: [simile] "cat-like eyes" = eyes that slant upward at the outside corners (considered aesthetically pleasing) JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: kitty/kitten US ground: (rare) a cute girl or woman UK ground: none AU ground: none CA ground: ? DU ground: [simile] "kitty-like" woman = very kind, sweet woman RU ground: none KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: gatita = sweetheart Vehicle: sloth US ground: lazy person (but linguistically not common... the adjective form is much more commonly used. "slothful" = lazy) UK ground: prob. "slothful" is used in the UK AU ground: same as US CA ground: same as US DU ground: same as US RU ground: [Note: in Russian, the name of the animal is: laziness] KO ground: [Note: in Korean, the name of the animal is: slow-ie] JA ground: SP ground: [Note: in Spanish the name of the animal is: lazy bear] Vehicle: rat US ground: tattler, informant (also, v.t.: "to rat on ((sb))" or "to rat ((sb)) out") UK ground: man who is untrustworthy in relationships OR who treats his partner badly; tale-teller AU ground: a mad, idiotic person given to eccentric behaviour, esp., "ratbag" CA ground: prob. same as US DU ground: bad, weasely (see weasel) person RU ground: bad, mean person KO ground: person who can and/or does escape from a very difficult situation with ease [from the Korean proverb: "A cornered rat will bite the cat."] JA ground: SP ground: bad person (who treats his partner badly) Vehicle: mouse US ground: weak person (but not physically... I mean weak-minded or weak-willed person) [from the common interrogative: "Are you a man or a mouse?"] UK ground: soft-spoken, timid person AU ground: shy person CA ground: same as UK DU ground: anxious person RU ground: a woman who does not attractive others' attention [maybe same as English: "wall-flower"] KO ground: same as rat, but insulting JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: snake/serpent US ground: cunning, deceptive person [prob. from the Bible, where the Devil took the form of a serpent and tried to deceive Eve] UK ground: "snake" = a person whom one cannot trust with confidences (esp. incriminating confidences) AU ground: "snake" same as US; "serpent" none; "snakey" = ill-tempered, grouchy CA ground: same as US DU ground: none RU ground: same as US KO ground: same as US; "flower-snake" = a woman who seduces men for money (female gigolo) JA ground: SP ground: vivora = slut (loose woman, easy woman) Vehicle: hippo US ground: fat person (insulting) UK ground: none AU ground: none CA ground: same as US DU ground: none RU ground: none KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: very fat person Vehicle: elephant US ground: very fat person (insulting) UK ground: none AU ground: none CA ground: same as US DU ground: same as US RU ground: fat person (esp. one who makes a lot of noise when stepping) KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: whale (included here because it is a mammal, not a fish) US ground: extremely fat person (insulting) UK ground: same (but uncommon) AU ground: same (sometimes) CA ground: same as US DU ground: none RU ground: person with heavy, noisy breath KO ground: "liquor-whale" = a person who drinks a lot of liquor (somewhat derogatory) JA ground: SP ground: same as US Vehicle: cow / heifer US ground: fat woman (insulting) UK ground: "cow" = disliked woman (esp. a disliked female teacher) AU ground: "cow" = annoying or disliked woman [in a pitying situation: "poor cow", or "stupid cow"] CA ground: same as US DU ground: fat, sloppy woman RU ground: fat woman KO ground: "milk cow" = a woman with big breasts (vulgar) JA ground: SP ground: same as US Vehicle: ox / bull US ground: "ox" = big strong man; "bully" = 'pushy', forceful, bossy person UK ground: "ox" none; "bully" prob. same AU ground: "ox" same as US; "bully" prob. same CA ground: same as US DU ground: "ox" same as US RU ground: "ox" same as US KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: man who has sexual stamina
Vehicle: horse US ground: none UK ground: none AU ground: none CA ground: (poss.) ugly woman DU ground: ugly person with big teeth RU ground: big-boned woman KO ground: (rare) a person with a long face; [simile] "horse-like hips" = wide hips (for woman); (sometimes) "white horse" = a man who when a beautiful woman ogles the 'princely' man next to him, thinks that she is ogling him, rather than the princely man. [traditionally, only royalty rode white horses in Korea] JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: stud US ground: handsome, debonair ladies' man (meant as a compliment among men) UK ground: same AU ground: prob. same CA ground: prob. same DU ground: (sometimes same as US); (also) a man with many children RU ground: ladies' man KO ground: ladies' man JA ground: SP ground: man with big penis Vehicle: stallion (wild male horse) US ground: (rare) a very capable man [EX. in the movie "Rocky", Rocky's nick name was "The Italian Stallion"] UK ground: AU ground: same as US CA ground: DU ground: none RU ground: KO ground: a man whose behavior is wild and obnoxious JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: mare (female horse) US ground: none UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: a wild woman RU ground: KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: foal / colt US ground: none UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: a frisky person RU ground: KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: potrillo = young adult (male) Vehicle: deer / buck / doe US ground: "deer" none; "buck" = one dollar bill [metonym...I believe that the US dollar bill had a picture of a buck on it at one time, in which case, it would be a metonymy]; "young buck" = young man UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: "deer" = a fearful person RU ground: KO ground: [simile] "deer-like woman" = woman with a long neck JA ground: SP ground: venado = a man who played "the fool" Vehicle: wolf US ground: aggressive person (bad meaning) [prob. from Grimm's Fairy Tales, which portrays wolves as cruel creatures] UK ground: none AU ground: ? CA ground: prob. same as US DU ground: same as US RU ground: independent person KO ground: a man who aggressively pursues sex; a playboy [from Korean saying: "Women are foxes; Men are wolves"] JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: tiger US ground: aggressive person (good meaning) UK ground: sexually aggressive person AU ground: same as US CA ground: same as US DU ground: a shrewd, aggressive person RU ground: none KO ground: (rare) brave person; (more commonly) a very strict person, (esp. a very strict teacher, called: "Tiger-teacher") JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: lion US ground; a king-like person, a great leader (us. negative meaning, as US doesn't like kings) [prob. from the saying: "Lion is king of the jungle."] UK ground: none AU ground: a leader CA ground: prob. same as US DU ground: (rare) king [from King Richard the Lionhearted] RU ground: brave person KO ground: none JA ground SP ground: a physically strong person Vehicle: sheep/lamb US ground: quiet, docile, subservient, and sometimes dumb (in both senses) [as is evident from the movie title "Silence of the Lambs"] UK ground: "lamb" = cute, good, obedient child AU ground: same as UK; (also) follower (negative meaning... as one who follows regardless of whether it is good or not) [prob. from the belief that if one sheep goes off the edge of a cliff, all others will follow] CA ground: ? DU ground: same as US RU ground: "sheep" = stupid or silly person / "lamb" = quiet, docile person KO ground: quiet, innocent person JA ground: SP ground: innocent person Vehicle: ram / ewe US ground: "ram" = v.t.- to charge at ((sth)) UK ground: prob. same AU ground: prob. same CA ground: prob. same DU ground: "ram" = go-getter, "ewe" none RU ground: KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: sheepish (simile?) US ground: acting as if one were shy (a character trait), i.e., acting embarrassed (whether really embarrassed or not), acting coy UK ground: same AU ground: same CA ground: same DU ground: [simile] "sheep-like" = shy and modest; shy in a modest way RU ground: none KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: turtle / tortoise US ground: physically slow person UK ground: "tortoise" = physically slow person AU ground: same as US CA ground: same as US DU ground: same as US RU ground: same as US; (also) a wise, experienced person KO ground: same as US JA ground: SP ground: physically slow person Vehicle: weasel / mongoose US ground: "weasel" = person who tries (and sometimes succeeds) to avoid/escape responsibilities (also phrasal verb: 'to weasel out of sth') UK ground: "weasel" = untrustworthy schemer AU ground: same as US CA ground: same as US DU ground: same as US; or generally a bad man RU ground: KO ground: JA ground: SP ground: comadreja = talkative old ladies Vehicle: shrew / mole US ground: "shrew" (outdated) = nagging woman [from Shakespeare: "The Taming of the Shrew"] / "mole" none; (but) "molehill" = a small problem [from the expression: "to make a mountain out of a molehill"] UK ground: same AU ground: prob. same CA ground: prob. same DU ground: "shrew" = witch, old hag RU ground: none KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: musarana = sleepy person; topo = blind person
Vehicle: skunk US ground: detestable person (and therefore sometimes a shunned person) UK ground: none AU ground: same as US [BUT, as with most 'names', when said to one's face, can be a term of endearment, sign of grudging admiration] CA ground: prob. same as US DU ground: none RU ground: none KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: stinky person Vehicle: ass/ jackass / donkey US ground: "ass" or "jackass" = extremely stubborn or disagreeable person; "ass" = buttocks; "dumbass" = stupid person UK ground: "ass" = stupid person AU ground: same as UK CA ground: "ass" = a jerk DU ground: same as UK RU ground: stubborn person KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: stupid person Vehicle: goat / kid US ground: "goatee" = a beard styled to look like a goat's beard; "kid" = child UK ground: same AU ground: same CA ground: same DU ground: "goat" = a stubborn person; "kid" = a stubborn child RU ground: "goat" = bad man (really offensive word) KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: gay Vehicle: dinosaur US ground: (usually, a very old) person with out-of-date thinking UK ground: same AU ground: same CA ground: same DU ground: same; (also "fossil") [I think English can use "fossil" as well] RU ground: ancient person KO ground: (sometimes) a big person JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: lizard US ground: none [BUT, "yellow-belly (lizard)" = a coward] [The color YELLOW is significant here. See "yellow".] UK ground: none AU ground: none CA ground: none DU ground: none RU ground: very quick person KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: pest US ground: a bothersome person UK ground: same AU ground: same (esp. a person that is repetitively bothersome) CA ground: same DU ground: "(disease-causing) pest" [probably more at 'pestilence'] = a bad person RU ground: none KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: same as US Vehicle: guinea pig / marmot US ground: "guinea pig" = experimentee UK ground: same AU ground: same CA ground: same DU ground: same RU ground: same KO ground: (rare, because this animal is not indigenous to Korea) "marmot" = a follower (esp., one who has no original ideas of his/her own) JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: bear US ground: none; BUT, "teddy bear" = a cuddly, loveable person; "bear-hug" = a strong, tight hug UK ground: prob. same AU ground: prob. same CA ground: prob. same DU ground: a big strong man RU ground: none KO ground: a stupid woman [from the Korean proverb: "A man can live with a fox, but not with a bear."] JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: frog / toad / tadpole US ground: "frog" none; "toad" = warty person (insulting); "tadpole" = term of endearment for a little child (extremely rare) UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: RU ground: KO ground: JA ground: SP ground: sapo = ugly person Vehicle: dragon US ground: terrible / terrific thing [EX. China is the sleeping dragon. OR He has dragon breath.] UK ground: prob. same AU ground: prob. same CA ground: prob. same DU ground: same as shrew ==> witch or old hag RU ground: none KO ground: (not a linguistic metaphor, but an icon & harbinger of good fortune if seen in a dream) JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: monkey US ground: (sometimes) a person who likes to climb [ I call my son "my little monkey boy" because he loves to climb all over the furniture.] UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: RU ground: KO ground: JA ground: SP ground: mi mona = my belle BIRD METAPHORS: Vehicle: owl US ground: a night-loving person; [simile] as wise as an owl UK ground: same AU ground: same CA ground: same DU ground: wise person RU ground: none KO ground: same as US JA ground: SP ground: same as US Vehicle: cock (male bird, sometimes rooster) US ground: penis (vulgar) UK ground: same AU ground: same CA ground: same DU ground: "cocky" = macho [I believe it is the same for all English (L1) countries] RU ground: person who pretends to be brave and tough KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: cuckoo US ground: crazy (adj.) UK ground: same AU ground: same CA ground: same DU ground: RU ground: KO ground: JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: dodo US ground: a stupid, idiotic person (euphemistic) UK ground: none AU ground: same as US CA ground: same as US DU ground: RU ground: KO ground: JA ground: Vehicle: duck US ground: v.i.--to lower one's head like a duck fishing; "ugly-duckling" = an ugly child [from the Hans Christen Andersen story "The Ugly Duckling"] UK ground: same AU ground: same CA ground: same DU ground: "ugly-duckling" = ??? (I'd like to know whether the US meaning is correct or the Korean meaning) RU ground: none KO ground: [simile] "duck-like buttocks" = a buttocks that protrudes a lot; (rare simile) "duck-like mouth" = a wide mouth; (metaphor) "hated-duckling" = the one 'disliked' child of a family [from the Hans Christen Andersen story "The Ugly Duckling"] JA ground: SP ground: (1) person who goes #2 a lot, (2) gay Vehicle: goose US ground: none; v.t. to goose sb = to poke sb in the buttocks UK ground: prob. none AU ground: prob. none CA ground: prob. none DU ground: twit RU ground: none KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: dummy Vehicle: swan US ground: none UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: elegant, graceful, florid person RU ground: KO ground: a female who doesn't work [comes from Sino-Korean, literally.: "white bird", and is a variation of the Korean metaphor "white hand" which is a metonym for any non-working adult] JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: stork US ground: place babies come from [Is a slightly outdated linguistic metaphor; more of an icon] UK ground: same (but obsolete) AU ground: prob. same CA ground: prob. same DU ground: same as US RU ground: same as US KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: same as US Vehicle: crane US ground: none UK ground: none AU ground: none CA ground: none DU ground: none RU ground: [prob. not linguistic metaphor, but icon of luck, and to see one brings luck to the viewer] KO ground: [prob. not linguistic metaphor, but icon of good fortune and long life] JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: eagle US ground: (sometimes) a leader [prob. from the saying: "It is hard to soar with eagles, when you live/work with turkeys." or others like it]; (rare as a linguistic metaphor, but possible) "bald eagle" = icon of US, the federation of states UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: RU ground: KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: hawk / falcon US ground: "hawk" = one who takes a militant attitude and advocates immediate vigorous action; especially : a supporter of a war or warlike policy (Merriam-Webster's Dictionary); persona person always watching very carefully for an opportunity to exploit others for his/her own benefit UK ground: (nowadays) "hawk" = aggressive, right-wing, war-monger AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: RU ground: KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none
Vehicle: dove US ground: none; icon of peace UK ground: prob. same AU ground: prob. same CA ground: prob. same DU ground: RU ground: KO ground: JA ground: SP ground: same as US Vehicle: buzzard / vulture US ground: "buzzard" = a person who 'hangs around' and looks for opportunities to scavenge; "vulture" = a scavenger (very neg. and very insulting) UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: RU ground: KO ground: JA ground: SP ground: thief Vehicle: crow US ground: none, BUT, "to eat crow" = to apologize for one's wrong-doing [the ground is that crow tastes bad and apologizing 'tastes' bad, i.e., hurts one's pride] UK ground: prob. same AU ground: prob. same CA ground: prob. same DU ground: police officer RU ground: "white crow" = a person who is different from others KO ground: none, BUT, "to eat crow" = to forget [from the common interrogative "Did you eat crow?"] JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: magpie US ground: none UK ground: (sometimes) a person that collects things AU ground: same as UK CA ground: ? DU ground: thief RU ground: talkative person KO ground: [not linguistic metaphor, but harbinger of good luck, and/or a visit from a good friend or relative] JA ground: SP ground: talkative woman Vehicle: swallow US ground: none UK ground: none AU ground: none CA ground: none DU ground: quick, graceful person RU ground: beautiful, lovely woman KO ground: gigolo JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: chicken / chick US ground: "chicken" = coward; "spring chicken" = a youthful, active, agile person; "chick" = a young, single woman ["chick" is used by men with men. It is not considered rude, but is not used to a woman's face] UK ground: same AU ground: same CA ground: same [BUT, the Canadians that I know consider "chick" to be a very politically incorrect term] DU ground: "chicken" = coward; (and sometimes) police officer RU ground: "chick" = child KO ground: "chick" = young adult JA ground: SP ground: pollo = easily drunken person Vehicle: turkey (I believe this bird is indigenous only to N.A.) US ground: silly person UK ground: a failed event; a "flop" AU ground: ? CA ground: stupid person DU ground: (rare, as turkeys are not indigenous to Europe) silly person RU ground: silly person [are there turkeys on the Soviet/Asia continent?] KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: same as US and CA BUG METAPHORS: Vehicle: bug US ground: small, insignificant person [Note: many (but not all) insect(s) can have the same ground]; (also) v.t.-to bother ((sb)) UK ground: same AU ground: same, but mostly v.t. CA ground: same DU ground: none RU ground: none KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: same as US Vehicle: worm US ground: (sometimes) same as weasel; (more commonly) contemptible, detestable person UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: RU ground: none KO ground: weak person (BUT, NOTE: only used in the Korean proverb: "A worm will wiggle when stepped on") JA ground: SP ground: same as US Vehicle: bookworm US ground: person who likes to read UK ground: same AU ground: same CA ground: same DU ground: same RU ground: same KO ground: same [but more at 'bookbug'] JA ground: SP ground: easy woman [Peru] Vehicle: snail US ground: very physically slow person UK ground: same AU ground: same CA ground: same DU ground: same RU ground: same KO ground: same JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: ant US ground: none UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: none, BUT as a verb, two meanings: (1) fiddle about, (2) nag RU ground: KO ground: (sometimes) a hard-worker; (jargon-wise) a small-time investor in the stock market [as opposed to big-time investors] JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: termite US ground: none UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: none RU ground: KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: bee US ground: none UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: none RU ground: none KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: grasshopper US ground: (sometimes) an active, hoppity child [as used in the Walt Disney production: "Sword in the Stone"] UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: none RU ground: KO ground: [simile] "grasshopper-like" = a person with big, "bug-eye" glasses JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: butterfly US ground: (sometimes) a person chiefly occupied with the whimsical pursuit of pleasure UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: playgirl RU ground: KO ground: no institutionalized metaphor, but used creatively in a song called "White Butterfly" to represent a lover that "flies" away, and in a movie called "Club Butterfly" to represent lovers that "fly" from partner to partner. JA ground: SP ground: gay Vehicle: moth US ground: none UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: someone who keeps coming back RU ground: KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: fly US ground: "barfly" = a person that hangs out in bars (emphasis on the plurality of bar) UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: same DU ground: some who is completely unimportant RU ground: KO ground: an insignificant, little thing [must collocate with sth, EX. "fly-dung" = a small speck; "fly-life" = a very short period of existence (esp., a very short time remaining for a person to continuing existing in a company) JA ground: SP ground: alert person Vehicle: firefly US ground: none UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: none RU ground: KO ground: no institutionalized metaphor, but used creatively in a song with the title "Dog-Dung Bug (Firefly)", which represents a person who is an outsider or outcast JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: flea US ground: "flea market" = a one-day market, which is held periodically and where vendors rent spots by the day; "flea circus" = a place with so many people and apparent chaos ensuing UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: someone who is completely unimportant RU ground: KO ground: impoverished person [BUT, only in the Korean expression: "to take out a flea's liver and eat it" (similar to English expression: "to skin a flea for it's hide")]; "flea market" = the name of a periodical which only deals in classified ads JA ground: SP ground: very small person Vehicle: maggot US ground: extremely detestable person (very insulting) UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: none RU ground: KO ground: something that hinders someone from doing something that he/she would really like to do [from the Korean interrogative: "Because maggots are scary, you cannot make (bean or chili-pepper) paste?"] JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: beetle US ground: none UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: none RU ground: KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: grub US ground: food [prob. metonym from the verb "to grub" (to dig for roots)] UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: RU ground: KO ground: JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: cocoon US ground: no institutionalized metaphor, but sometimes used creatively to refer to a period of time when someone (or some group of people) are in a period of transition (metamorphosis) [as in the movie "Son-in-law"]. UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: none RU ground: KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: mosquito US ground: same as pest UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: a person who hinders others RU ground: KO ground: "mosquito voice" = quiet voice JA ground: SP ground: same as US Vehicle: leech US ground: a person takes repetitively and does not give in return; (also) v.t.-to leach off of ((sb)) UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: RU ground: KO ground: [simile] "leech-like man/woman" = (1) an ex-lover or stalker who won't stop pursuing... (2) same as US-English [P.S. can be used as a simile and a metaphor] JA ground: SP ground: same as US Vehicle: cockroach US ground: none UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: RU ground: KO ground: [simile] "cockroach-like couple" = the perfect couple [said envyingly] JA ground: SP ground: none AQUATIC ANIMAL METAPHORS: Vehicle: fish US ground: none, BUT, "fishy" (adj.) = seemingly not right, true; "fish story" = an exaggerated or concocted story: "fish out of water" = a person out of his/her element or field of expertise UK ground: prob. same AU ground: prob. same CA ground: prob. same DU ground: RU ground: KO ground: JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: urchin US ground: (sometimes) a mischievous youngster UK ground: a dirty, unkempt child; dirty street kid (possibly not to be trusted) AU ground: a dirty, unkempt child CA ground: a dirty, unkempt child DU ground: none RU ground: KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: eel US ground: none UK ground: none AU ground: none CA ground: none DU ground: slippery person RU ground: person whose bad affairs are difficult to trace KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: squid / cuttlefish US ground: none UK ground: none AU ground: none CA ground: none DU ground: none RU ground: none KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none
Vehicle: octopus US ground: none UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: someone who has influence everywhere RU ground: KO ground: "to spread one's octopus legs" = to have many lovers at one time; [simile] "octopus-like head" = big head JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: crab US ground: a grouchy person UK ground: same AU ground: same CA ground: same DU ground: none RU ground: none KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: lobster / crayfish US ground: none, BUT, "lobster nose" = red nose UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: none RU ground: KO ground: none [BUT, there is a Korean proverb: "A crayfish sides with the crabs" (which loosely translated) means that friends and relatives stick together and support each other] JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: shrimp / prawn US ground: a very small person UK ground: same AU ground: same CA ground: same DU ground: very slim person RU ground: KO ground: [simile] "shrimp-like eyes" = eyes that are small & close together JA ground: SP ground: [proverb: the shrimp that sleeps will go with the current.] life passes by the idle person. Vehicle: shark US ground: a hustler UK ground: sharp, untrustworthy person [said of a tradesperson or salesperson] AU ground: same as US CA ground: business predator DU ground: shrewd person RU ground: same as US KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: walrus US ground: no institutionalized metaphor, but has been used to refer to a heavy person with a mustache [as used in the Walt Disney animated film "The Sword in the Stone"] UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: someone with a big mustache RU ground: KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none MISCL. FOOD METAPHORS: Vehicle: egg US ground: none, BUT "nest egg" = one's savings; "egg on one's face" = shame; "egg-head" = an overly smart student, that makes the rest of the students look idiotic (insulting) UK ground: prob. same AU ground: prob. same CA ground: prob. same DU ground: "soft egg" = a "softy" (a lenient person); "to sell sth for an apple and an egg" = to sell sth very cheaply RU ground: none KO ground: [simile] "egg-like face" = a face that is shaped like an egg [considered very aesthetically pleasing] JA ground: SP ground: testicle(s); fried egg = silly person Vehicle: bread US ground: money; "bread & butter" = one's basic living (or source thereof) UK ground: same AU ground: prob. same CA ground: prob. same DU ground: "bread-needed" = very necessary RU ground: basis of life; what one values most KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: God's bread = Godsend Vehicle: rice US ground: [symbolizes fortune when thrown at weddings, but not a linguistic metaphor, my mistake] UK ground: none AU ground: none CA ground: none DU ground: "rice pudding mountain" = the road to Never-never Land RU ground: none KO ground: [metonym] rice = food, meal JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: (cow's) milk US ground: none, BUT "milk & honey" = luxuriousness UK ground: same AU ground: same CA ground: same DU ground: same; (also) "to have nothing to crumble in the milk" = to have no influence, no say RU ground: "blood & milk" = strong, healthy person KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: luck; milky = lucky Vehicle: (mother's) milk US ground: (abstractly) simplicity [prob. from Bible: 1Cor.3:2 "I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able." AND Heb.5:12 "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat."] UK ground: none AU ground: essential nutrition (concretely and abstractly) CA ground: ? DU ground: none RU ground: none KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: meat US ground: (abstractly) complexity [prob. From Bible; see (mother's) milk] UK ground: main topic [EX. "Get to the meat of the matter."] AU ground: details; something to "chew on" (intellectually, of course) CA ground: DU ground: RU ground: KO ground: JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: ham US ground: a show-off UK ground: a bad actor AU ground: (usually adj.) corny, funny, silly ((behavior)) CA ground: DU ground: none RU ground: none KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: pork US ground: none, BUT "porker" = person who eats too much UK ground: none AU ground: same as US CA ground: prob. same as US DU ground: same as US RU ground: KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: beef US ground: none UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: none RU ground: KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: sandwich US ground: v.t.-to pressure ((sth)) from two sides UK ground: same AU ground: same CA ground: same DU ground: none RU ground: none KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: same as US Vehicle: toast US ground: a dead (or soon-to-be dead) person or thing [usually used facetiously] UK ground: same AU ground: same CA ground: same DU ground: none RU ground: none KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: salt US ground: "salt of the earth" = person(s) full of life and vigor; "grain of salt" = skepticism, reserve, common sense [said in the expression: "take it with a grain of salt"] UK ground: "salt of the earth" = 'down-to-earth', genuine fellow AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: "don't earn the salt in the porridge" = earn next to nothing; "to lay salt on all the snails" = to split hairs RU ground: KO ground: "salty stone" = a cheapskate (esp., a person who never pays when going out) JA ground: SP ground: salado (salty) = unlucky Vehicle: (black) pepper US ground: none [But, "salt & pepper" could refer to Caucasian(s) & Negroid(s)] UK ground: none AU ground: none [BUT, salt & pepper refers to hair color] CA ground: prob. same as US DU ground: "salt & pepper" = grizzled RU ground: KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: chicken soup (or another soup) US ground: chicken soup = medicine [as in the book: "Chicken Soup for the Soul"] UK ground: ? AU ground: same as US CA ground: same as US DU ground: "soup eye" = soup mess RU ground: KO ground: "noodle soup" = wedding (metonym, not metaphor; food served at the event used to refer to the event) [It is common to ask a single person: "When are you going to serve (me) noodle soup?"] JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: peanut US ground: (rare) small, cute child [as in the popular comic strip "Peanuts" by Charles Schultz] UK ground: none AU ground: "peanut ~" = small ~ [EX. Peanut brain] [I think this is the same in all English (L1) countries] CA ground: DU ground: none, [BUT, "chestnuts" = testicles] RU ground: none KO ground: (rare) small person JA ground: SP ground: tiny penis Vehicle: wine US ground: not an institutionalized metaphor, but could be used creatively as a thing which creates euphoria UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: RU ground: KO ground: JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: sugar US ground: (sometimes) something pleasant to go with something unpleasant but necessary [from the English proverb: "A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down."] UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: RU ground: KO ground: JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: honey US ground: darling UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: RU ground: KO ground: JA ground: SP ground: none COLOR METAPHORS: Vehicle: green US ground: money [EX. I need some green]; environmental [EX. The politicians discussed 'green' issues.]; "green light" = safety to proceed; "greenie" = a novice; fixed expression: "to be green with envy"; UK ground: prob. same AU ground: prob. same CA ground: prob. same DU ground: prob. same RU ground: same (except money and greenie=novice) KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: soldier (especially American soldier); a novice Vehicle: red US ground: "red carpet" = the royal treatment ["roll out the red carpet" = give the royal treatment]; "to see red" = to be angry; "to be in the red" = to be in financial danger UK ground: prob. same AU ground: prob. same CA ground: prob. same DU ground: "to go over the red (one)" = to become angry; "to be in the red" = same as US RU ground: Communism KO ground: Communism JA ground: SP ground: Indians (American Indians) Vehicle: black US ground: morbid [as in "black comedy"]; adulterated, impure, possibly evil [as in "black magic" or "black heart"]; simply detested for one reason or another [as in "black sheep of the family"]; UK ground: prob. same AU ground: prob. same; + gloomy; so angry so as to be silent, brooding CA ground: prob. same DU ground: "black humor" or "black comedy" = morbid, wicked humor RU ground: bad KO ground: "blackie" = person with a dark suntan JA ground: SP ground: negroes Vehicle: white US ground: pure UK ground: same AU ground: same CA ground: same DU ground: same RU ground: same KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: brown US ground: none; BUT, "brown-noser" = [literally a person who gets shit on his nose from kissing ass, also: "ass-kisser"] = a person that flatters others, esp. superiors UK ground: none AU ground: none CA ground: none DU ground: (sometimes) shit RU ground: none KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: blue US ground: sad [EX. I'm blue.]; "blue skies" = happiness, contentedness UK ground: same AU ground: same CA ground: same DU ground: (metonymy) "to be blue with a cold"; (not metaphor, but interesting...) "blue eye" = {English}black eye; "blue rings" = dark circles under the eyes RU ground: none KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: orange US ground: none UK ground: none AU ground: none CA ground: none DU ground: ? RU ground: none KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: yellow US ground: cowardly UK ground: prob. same AU ground: prob. same CA ground: prob. same DU ground: "turn green and yellow of envy" RU ground: none KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: Oriental Vehicle: purple / violet US ground: none, except one: "Purple Heart" = Brave heart UK ground: none AU ground: (sometimes) "purple ~" = royal ~ CA ground: ? DU ground: (metonymy) "to be purple with a cold" RU ground: none KO ground: none JA ground: SP ground: none Vehicle: pink US ground: "pinko" = communist UK ground: AU ground: CA ground: DU ground: RU ground: dreamy KO ground: romance, also: "pink light" = romance JA ground: SP ground: none
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