Metaphors and Beyond
@metaphorsandbeyond.bsky.social
Devoted to discovering, identifying, and using uncommonly high quality non-literal comparisons (metaphors, metonymies, similes, analogies, etc.). Send 'em my way! For much, much more go to metaphorsandbeyond dot com.
RJ Young opens a recent piece by designating former ‘bama coach Nick Saban a “Sith Lord” due his connection to the four remaining D-1 football coaches contending for the national championship. Thereafter he returns to Earth by this enhanced stealth metaphor: 1/2
January 6, 2026 at 2:56 AM
RJ Young opens a recent piece by designating former ‘bama coach Nick Saban a “Sith Lord” due his connection to the four remaining D-1 football coaches contending for the national championship. Thereafter he returns to Earth by this enhanced stealth metaphor: 1/2
According to Mary Geddry, the Orange one's republican fentanyl lie served as a “moral fig leaf“ for the military action in Venezuela.
January 4, 2026 at 9:39 PM
According to Mary Geddry, the Orange one's republican fentanyl lie served as a “moral fig leaf“ for the military action in Venezuela.
Mary Geddry on Substack notes concerning some in the U.S. Congress recognizing that too much power has been given to the executive branch by republicans: “Having set the house on fire, Congress is now earnestly discussing the importance of smoke detectors.“ #metaphorsandbeyond #insight #perspective
December 28, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Mary Geddry on Substack notes concerning some in the U.S. Congress recognizing that too much power has been given to the executive branch by republicans: “Having set the house on fire, Congress is now earnestly discussing the importance of smoke detectors.“ #metaphorsandbeyond #insight #perspective
". . . make even Scrooge blush." Takes an historical stealth metaphor and drives home the degree of disgusting greed. Thanks @rbreich.bsky.social! #metaphorsandbeyond #perspective #insight
After buying it for $18.8 billion, Walgreens' new private equity owner has eliminated paid holidays for all hourly workers on Christmas and New Year's.
Last year, Walgreens had a CEO-to-Worker pay gap of 410 to 1.
Corporate greed that would make even Scrooge blush.
Last year, Walgreens had a CEO-to-Worker pay gap of 410 to 1.
Corporate greed that would make even Scrooge blush.
December 25, 2025 at 12:53 AM
". . . make even Scrooge blush." Takes an historical stealth metaphor and drives home the degree of disgusting greed. Thanks @rbreich.bsky.social! #metaphorsandbeyond #perspective #insight
Adam Chandler on the experience of visiting a Crumbl store: “Visiting a Crumbl can seem a bit like stepping into an Instagram Reel directed by North Korea state media and shot by Norman Rockwell.“ #metaphorsandbeyond
December 16, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Adam Chandler on the experience of visiting a Crumbl store: “Visiting a Crumbl can seem a bit like stepping into an Instagram Reel directed by North Korea state media and shot by Norman Rockwell.“ #metaphorsandbeyond
Mary Geddry on 10 Dec. 2025: “Meanwhile, Trump’s first day back in office was spent tearing up the Paris agreement, gutting clean energy policy, and setting fossil fuel companies loose like feral hogs at a congressional picnic.“ 1/2
December 10, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Mary Geddry on 10 Dec. 2025: “Meanwhile, Trump’s first day back in office was spent tearing up the Paris agreement, gutting clean energy policy, and setting fossil fuel companies loose like feral hogs at a congressional picnic.“ 1/2
Mary Geddry on Republican Trump's announcement of National Park Service Free-Entry Days: “. . . on the subject of theatrical distractions, remember the National Park Service’s suddenly generous free-entry policy, rolled out with all the finesse of a clearance sale in a collapsing mall. . . . 1/2
December 6, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Mary Geddry on Republican Trump's announcement of National Park Service Free-Entry Days: “. . . on the subject of theatrical distractions, remember the National Park Service’s suddenly generous free-entry policy, rolled out with all the finesse of a clearance sale in a collapsing mall. . . . 1/2
Rex Huppke on the high seas: “As Trump’s decade-plus time as captain of the MAGA cruise ship winds its way into infamy, it appears the rats are either fleeing the ship or gearing up to fight over scraps in the galley.”
Thanks @rexhuppke.bsky.social !
#metaphorsandbeyond
Thanks @rexhuppke.bsky.social !
#metaphorsandbeyond
December 6, 2025 at 5:40 AM
Rex Huppke on the high seas: “As Trump’s decade-plus time as captain of the MAGA cruise ship winds its way into infamy, it appears the rats are either fleeing the ship or gearing up to fight over scraps in the galley.”
Thanks @rexhuppke.bsky.social !
#metaphorsandbeyond
Thanks @rexhuppke.bsky.social !
#metaphorsandbeyond
Blake Toppmeyer offers this effervescent gas cavity comparison concerning possible D-1 football playoff teams: “Alabama’s resume is as good or better than that of Notre Dame, Brigham Young, Miami, Vanderbilt, Texas, Utah or anyone else you might want to shove onto this crowded bubble.”
November 30, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Blake Toppmeyer offers this effervescent gas cavity comparison concerning possible D-1 football playoff teams: “Alabama’s resume is as good or better than that of Notre Dame, Brigham Young, Miami, Vanderbilt, Texas, Utah or anyone else you might want to shove onto this crowded bubble.”
Hens in danger?! www.metaphorsandbeyond.com/post/how-muc...
How much longer can the henhouse endure?
Comparison:. . . the ‘sensitive points’ of the peace plan will be discussed ‘directly with President Trump,’ which is the geopolitical equivalent of saying, ‘I will now consult the fox on how best to ...
www.metaphorsandbeyond.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Hens in danger?! www.metaphorsandbeyond.com/post/how-muc...
Brent Molnar: "America is running a real, functioning system of cruelty that would make a Bond villain blush." Blushing Bond villains seemingly are rare, but important component parts of an insightful non-literal comparison. Thanks Brent Molnar!
November 23, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Brent Molnar: "America is running a real, functioning system of cruelty that would make a Bond villain blush." Blushing Bond villains seemingly are rare, but important component parts of an insightful non-literal comparison. Thanks Brent Molnar!
Mary Geddry: "The “strong consumer” our pundit class loves to invoke is really the top ten percent of earners, who still account for about half of U.S. consumption. 1/2 (go to comments for the hamster wheel comparison!)
November 21, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Mary Geddry: "The “strong consumer” our pundit class loves to invoke is really the top ten percent of earners, who still account for about half of U.S. consumption. 1/2 (go to comments for the hamster wheel comparison!)
Will Bunch writing in the Philly Inquirer addresses the financial implications of common people finding out about behaviors of tony elites: "I’m not a financial expert, but if I had disposable cash I’d avoid the hyperinflated AI bubble and invest in a company that manufactures pitchforks."
November 17, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Will Bunch writing in the Philly Inquirer addresses the financial implications of common people finding out about behaviors of tony elites: "I’m not a financial expert, but if I had disposable cash I’d avoid the hyperinflated AI bubble and invest in a company that manufactures pitchforks."
Mary Geddry:
Scientists are now breeding “Flonduran” corals, hybrids between Florida and Honduran survivors, in a last-ditch attempt to outwit the ocean. It’s a little like crossing a hamster and a toaster to build a better ark. Admirable, yes. Hopeless, probably. 1/2
Scientists are now breeding “Flonduran” corals, hybrids between Florida and Honduran survivors, in a last-ditch attempt to outwit the ocean. It’s a little like crossing a hamster and a toaster to build a better ark. Admirable, yes. Hopeless, probably. 1/2
November 14, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Mary Geddry:
Scientists are now breeding “Flonduran” corals, hybrids between Florida and Honduran survivors, in a last-ditch attempt to outwit the ocean. It’s a little like crossing a hamster and a toaster to build a better ark. Admirable, yes. Hopeless, probably. 1/2
Scientists are now breeding “Flonduran” corals, hybrids between Florida and Honduran survivors, in a last-ditch attempt to outwit the ocean. It’s a little like crossing a hamster and a toaster to build a better ark. Admirable, yes. Hopeless, probably. 1/2
Thomas Friedman conceptually treks all the way to Russia for his latest coping insight: www.metaphorsandbeyond.com/post/from-ru...
From Russia with Love?!
Comparison:Russians had a saying that today would apply to more than a few other countries: “It’s easier to turn an aquarium into fish soup than to turn fish soup into an aquarium.”Thomas Friedman, wo...
www.metaphorsandbeyond.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Thomas Friedman conceptually treks all the way to Russia for his latest coping insight: www.metaphorsandbeyond.com/post/from-ru...
Says Seth Godin: “Most of us, most of the time, are living in a ghost city.“ Why on Earth (or any other planet) would he use a comparison of a “ghost city“? See follow comment for the answer 1/2
November 2, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Says Seth Godin: “Most of us, most of the time, are living in a ghost city.“ Why on Earth (or any other planet) would he use a comparison of a “ghost city“? See follow comment for the answer 1/2
Peter Wehner notes:
“A curtain of darkness is settling over our nation. And it’s getting ever harder to avoid connecting the authoritarian dots.”
Keep track of the dots, we’ll need perspective, planning, and action when we rebuild using light.
“A curtain of darkness is settling over our nation. And it’s getting ever harder to avoid connecting the authoritarian dots.”
Keep track of the dots, we’ll need perspective, planning, and action when we rebuild using light.
October 31, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Peter Wehner notes:
“A curtain of darkness is settling over our nation. And it’s getting ever harder to avoid connecting the authoritarian dots.”
Keep track of the dots, we’ll need perspective, planning, and action when we rebuild using light.
“A curtain of darkness is settling over our nation. And it’s getting ever harder to avoid connecting the authoritarian dots.”
Keep track of the dots, we’ll need perspective, planning, and action when we rebuild using light.
After noting that The Orange One's supporters would “follow him over a cliff and straight into the sea“ Mary Geddry uncorks a series of potent metaphors concerning a failing leader 1/2
marygeddry.com/p/the-empty-...
marygeddry.com/p/the-empty-...
The Empty Piazza
The would-be strongman stares out at a democracy that’s done applauding.
marygeddry.com
October 28, 2025 at 5:46 PM
After noting that The Orange One's supporters would “follow him over a cliff and straight into the sea“ Mary Geddry uncorks a series of potent metaphors concerning a failing leader 1/2
marygeddry.com/p/the-empty-...
marygeddry.com/p/the-empty-...
Dutt strikes again with similes. Beware of the no flour muffins!
October 28, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Dutt strikes again with similes. Beware of the no flour muffins!
M Geddry on an O-Office visit to an R-President: “There was a time when reporters would have stopped a president mid-sentence for falsely claiming to have ended nine wars, built a ballroom with ‘friends and patriots,‘ or single-handedly solved the Middle East.“ (hang on for sandy comparison!) 1/2
October 24, 2025 at 5:12 PM
M Geddry on an O-Office visit to an R-President: “There was a time when reporters would have stopped a president mid-sentence for falsely claiming to have ended nine wars, built a ballroom with ‘friends and patriots,‘ or single-handedly solved the Middle East.“ (hang on for sandy comparison!) 1/2
“democratic gangrene“ indeed! Closer to the Edge blog post concerning replacement of professional journalists covering the Pentagon: “This is what happens when a superpower stops pretending to be serious.“ 1/2
October 24, 2025 at 2:21 PM
“democratic gangrene“ indeed! Closer to the Edge blog post concerning replacement of professional journalists covering the Pentagon: “This is what happens when a superpower stops pretending to be serious.“ 1/2
Geddry on European leader's response to DJT's' lurches: “After Trump’s two-hour phone call with Putin reportedly ‘changed his view of the war,’ the Europeans are now engaged in the most delicate form of crisis management imaginable: praising the arsonist while trying to save the building.“
October 22, 2025 at 2:58 AM
Geddry on European leader's response to DJT's' lurches: “After Trump’s two-hour phone call with Putin reportedly ‘changed his view of the war,’ the Europeans are now engaged in the most delicate form of crisis management imaginable: praising the arsonist while trying to save the building.“
George Packer combines stealth metaphors (rotted out and floor) with an archetypal metaphor (fall into) to offer a prediction about our politics and morality: “Once morality is rotted out by partisan relativism, the floor gives way and the fall into nihilism is swift.”
#metaphorsandbeyond
#metaphorsandbeyond
October 20, 2025 at 2:24 PM
George Packer combines stealth metaphors (rotted out and floor) with an archetypal metaphor (fall into) to offer a prediction about our politics and morality: “Once morality is rotted out by partisan relativism, the floor gives way and the fall into nihilism is swift.”
#metaphorsandbeyond
#metaphorsandbeyond
