by Dolores Moore

Created on: May 22, 2009

Both simile and metaphor add great color to the English language. We use them all the time, perhaps unconscious of how they contribute to the wit and richness that take place in our everyday exchanges. Bus drivers and paper sellers are great with these, engaging in banter peppered with witty metaphors. No doubt we all studied them in English class, learned definitions, identified their use, read poetry and analysed them and even wrote them into our essays. Having absorbed the knowledge of the difference between a simile and a metaphor, like many things, we follow the rules and use the tools, but forget just what they mean. Perhaps a simple definition of each, with examples to illustrate will demonstrate the difference.

SIMILE: This is used by a writer or speaker, when referring to a person or thing, as a way of making a completely explicit comparison of what or who is being discussed. With a simile, the words "like" and "as" will often be used to make that comparison and illustrate the person or thing under discussion. The best way to make that definition make sense is to look at examples of similes in action. Once you see these, you will no doubt recognize your own use of simile in everyday speech.

"He is as much use as a chocolate teapot!" - meaning this person is not fit for purpose, not very good at anything.

"I feel like a wet rag." meaning weak and washed out, not very well.

"Those brothers are like two peas in a pod." meaning they resemble each other very closely.

METAPHOR: Using a metaphor is taking a phrase or description and applying it to an object, person or action to which it does not literally apply. Poets love metaphor and so do I. As a child brought up in Ireland, speech was full of them, and I have often thought that they were a legacy of the Gaelic language that made its way into English and held on, adding a vibrant richness to it. Here are a few to illustrate the definition. You will not see "like" as in the simile, but with a good metaphor, your imagination gets free reign.

"Feedback, the breakfast of champions." meaning it is nourishing and supportive to receive feedback.

"Poor thing, her boiler's busted." meaning, the person is suffering from stress or mental illness

"His head is cut and the sawdust is falling out." meaning this man has some rather foolish ideas.

"Put that on your needles and knit it!" meaning, you had better take notice of what was said and do something about it.

"He is away with the fairies." meaning the person has a very tenuous grasp on reality.

MIXED METAPHORS: These cause the most hilarity, and here are two examples, I bet you have heard many more.

"This back burner is a level playing field." The manager is getting all mixed up with what he is trying to say.

"They killed the fatted calf that laid the golden egg." Oh, they have really wasted resources.

So a simile makes an explicit comparison with "as" and "like" employed to make this clear. The thing or person referred to will always be connected by the words of the simile, so no doubts remain as to just what or who is being compared to what. The metaphor is not so closely aligned to the objects, person or action to which it is applied. It is rather more colorful and poetic and definitely a more subtle and clever use of language. Listen closely to yourself and others and enjoy the craic.

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