Sci-Phi Publishing
P.O. Box 1383
Kingston, Ontario
Canada
K7L-5C6
613-547-2156
info...@...knowgramming.com

PRESS RELEASE


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CULTURE/SOCIETY/ARTS

John D. Casnig
Spokesperson,
Annual Top Ten List of Metaphors
613-547-2156
casnig...@...knowgramming.com


MEDIA HIT WITH 'FALLOUT'

Nukes Top Most Popular Metaphors in 2005

Kingston, ON, Canada January 2/2006 -- The Metaphor Observatory in 
conjunction with Sci-Phi Publishing's Knowgramming.com have released their 
first annual Top Ten List of Metaphors in the media. The list of metaphors, 
informally gathered from newscasts, music, advertisements and the press, 
shows how current social concerns are reflected in figurative language. 
Metaphors are judged for their accuracy, popularity, impact and relevance to 
2005.

Topping this year's list is "political fallout", which became popular in 
step with controversies such as the CIA leak, the Terry Schiavo case and the 
Harriet Miers' Supreme Court nomination. Other entries include "toxic 
gumbo", "road map to peace" and "tidal wave". The complete list and its 
explanations can be seen at 
http://metaphorobservatory.blogspot.com/2005/12/top-ten-metaphors-of-
2005.html or reached through a link at http://knowgramming.com .

The Top Ten List of Metaphors has an anthropological and historical 
significance. Metaphor is when we substitute one concept for another in 
order to convey an idea. We tend to reach for concepts that are 
<italics>physically<italics> close at hand, usually found on our body or in 
our immediate environment. However, when we build metaphors from specific 
current affairs, we are quietly recording what is foremost <italics>on our 
minds<italics>. According to The Metaphor Observatory, society's Freudian 
Slip is showing.

The Metaphor Observatory is an editorial blog "dedicated to detecting 
metaphor usage in contemporary media". Knowgramming.com, a web site held by 
Sci-Phi Publishing, provides metaphor learning resources to an estimated 
half million students, teachers and businesses annually.

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