Teacher Resources for

Metaphor Research Assignment #1: Etymology

Here are a few key points that should show up in student answers. This is not meant to be comprehensive, and in some cases, other definitions or final etymologies may differ somewhat.

Order: Word. Current definition. Origin. Points of similarity. Points of difference.

1) Nucleus. Center of atom or cell. Nut. Same - central part, inside some form of shell. Differ - nut is a seed.

2) Sabotage. Destruction of employer's property. Walk noisily. Same - both are disruptive. Differ - noise is not necessarily deliberate nor directed at employer.

3) Hogwash. Nonsense. Slop fed to pigs. Same - both are useless/repulsive to humans. Differ - hogwash is physically food (for pigs), not useless information for humans.

4) Phosphorous. Non-metallic element. Torch bearer. Same - both are bright (when burned). Differ - chemical element versus person.

5) Dandelion. Plant. Lion's tooth. Same - leaves similar in shape to lion's teeth. Differ - soft plant versus hard animal tooth.

6) Zed. A letter. A weapon. Same - similar shape in ancient Hebrew. Differ - letter versus weapon.

7) Ukulele. An instrument. Leaping flea. Same - similar motions involved when playing instrument. Differ - instrument versus moving insect.

8) Grenade. Explosive device. Seedy fruit. Same - many small pieces held within a single shell. Differ - inedible weapon versus edible fruit.

9) Omelet. Food made with eggs. Blade of knife or sword. Same - similar shape. Differ - food versus weapon.

10) Metaphor. Figure of speech. To carry over. Same - both bridge between things. Differ - a figure of speech cannot be physically carried.