Metaphors are powerful. But what happens when you mix them?

Will you come out looking like a rose? Or will you be opening Pandora’s box of worms?

We’re talking to Dr Kari Sullivan, author of a new book about mixed metaphors. So button your seat belts; it’s another episode of Talk the Talk.


Listen to this episode

Download this episode

You can listen to all the episodes of Talk the Talk by pasting this URL into your podlistener.

http://danielmidgley.com/talkthetalk/talk_classic.xml

Promo

Promo with Teri Campbell, 2018-11-27: Mixed Metaphors

Full interview

Interview with Kari Sullivan (complete)

Daniel chats with Dr Kari Sullivan about her book Mixed Metaphors: Their Use and Abuse. Writing guides tell you to avoid mixing your metaphors, but when two metaphors work together, it can be wonderfully satisfying — and strangely convincing. We delve into the research.

Thanks to Dr Sullivan, and to the Australian Linguistic Society for making this interview possible.

Also at https://www.patreon.com/posts/22945399


Patreon supporters

We’re very grateful for the support from our burgeoning community of patrons, including

  • Chris
  • Jerry
  • Lyssa
  • Nicki
  • Termy
  • Ann
  • Helen
  • Jack
  • Matt
  • Sabrina

You’re helping us to keep the talk happening!

We’re Because Language now, and you can become a Patreon supporter!
Depending on your level, you can get bonus episodes, mailouts, shoutouts, come to live episodes, and of course have membership in our Discord community.

Become a Patron!

Show notes

Why Is Everyone Suddenly Saying ‘Y’All’? – MEL Magazine
https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/why-is-everyone-suddenly-saying-yall

San Antonio linguists study the spread of “y’all” – Houston Chronicle
https://www.chron.com/life/article/San-Antonio-linguists-study-the-spread-of-y-all-1953960.php

They Sent a Poet: Samuel R. Delany’s Babel-17 | Tor.com
https://www.tor.com/2017/05/17/they-sent-a-poet-samuel-r-delanys-babel-17/

Wordnik: well-mixed-metaphors
https://www.wordnik.com/lists/well-mixed-metaphors

Mixed Metaphors: Their Use and Abuse: Karen Sullivan: Bloomsbury Academic
https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/mixed-metaphors-9781350066038/

Russ Bray joins ‘Fartgate’ suspect list at Grand Slam of Darts, Gary Anderson, Wesley Harms
https://www.news.com.au/sport/more-sports/darts-caller-russ-bray-thrust-under-the-fartgate-scandal-cloud/news-story/001badce766da23541725993eb9ec6ec

Facebook, Netflix and Alphabet charts are now in death crosses, which could signal more selling
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/20/facebook-netflix-alphabet-in-death-crosses-could-signal-more-selling.html

Melbourne weather: Rain today, snow falls in Victorian Alps
https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/victorian-alps-turn-into-winter-wonderland-after-november-cold-snap/news-story/5d24fac83fc4babccc08673e01305a28

Urban Dictionary: woof
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=woof

Childish Gambino – Redbone but Austin Walker cornered you at a party talking about machine elves – Instaudio
https://instaud.io/1zBY


Transcript

We’re working our way back through the archives. If you think we should prioritise a transcript of this episode, let us know!