I Never Metaphor I Didn't Like: A Comprehensive Compilation of History's Greatest Analogies, Metaphors, and Similes

Collins, 2008, Hardcover

Product Description

The murals in restaurants are on a par with the food in museums.

America is an enormous frosted cupcake in the middle of millions of starving people.

Critics are like pigs at the pastry cart.

Describing something by relating it to another thing is the essence of metaphorical thought. It is one of the oldest activities of humankind—and one of the most impressive when done skillfully. Throughout history, many masters of metaphor have crafted observations that are so spectacular they have taken up a permanent residence in our minds.

In I Never Metaphor I Didn't Like, quotation maven Dr. Mardy Grothe fixes his attention on the three superstars of figurative language—analogies, metaphors, and similes. The result is an extraordinary compilation of nearly 2,000 feats of association that will entertain, educate, and occasionally inspire quotation lovers everywhere.

In this intellectual smorgasbord, the author of Oxymoronica and Viva la Repartee explains figurative language in a refreshingly down-to-earth way before taking readers on a tour of history's greatest word pictures. In chapters on wit, love, sex, stage and screen, insults, politics, sports, and more, you will find quotations from Aristotle and Maya Angelou to George Washington and Oprah Winfrey.

Product Details

Title: I Never Metaphor I Didn't Like: A Comprehensive Compilation of History's Greatest Analogies, Metaphors, and Similes
Sales Rank: 3030 in Books
Author: Mardy Grothe
Publisher: Collins, 2008-08-01, Hardcover, 336 pages, ISBN: 0061358134
Package Dimensions: 7.2 x 5.8 x 1.2 inches, 0.75 pounds

Customer Reviews

Yet Another Gem from Mardy Grothe: Dr. Mardy Grothe has written yet another book that will delight linguaphiles. In fact in his introduction Grothe says, " This book is aimed at readers who have a deep interest in seeing language used in creative ways." This latest volume, _I Never Metaphor I Didn't Like: A Comprehensive Compilation of History's Greatest Analogies, Metaphors, and Similes_, includes nearly 2,000 quotations. More reviews

Relationship Is Like a Shark: Yes, relationships seem dangerous or at least irritating at times. And our choices often appear murky. Want a surprisingly quick and satisfying exercise for making wiser decisions next time? Try it by opening to any page in this witty new book by Dr. Mardy Grothe. (Relationship Is Like a Shark is one of his chapter titles.)
Once a Big Man on Campus (BMOC) Dr.… More reviews

A cherry tree in the potato patch: Mardy Grothe's new book, I Never Metaphor I Didn't Like, is a first class meal in the back row of the plane. It's a waterfall after three weeks in the Sahara. It's a brand new Beatles album at an estate sale. It's....it's....you see why I like this book? I need help with my metaphors!
Seriously, this book is a gem. The historical and literary references… More reviews

A Master Chef of Wordsmithery: I could peruse this latest book by Dr. Mardy for hours and never tire of it. As a writer who enjoys quotations of all sorts I have long been a big fan of Dr. Mardy Grothe's weekly column. With i never metaphor i didn't like, he has so won my heart that it is now and always the first place I will ever look to discover helpful quotations… More reviews

Ruined by Over Explaining: I enjoyed every metaphor, simile and analogy in this book-- but why, pray tell, did he have to ruin them by explaining what they mean? Anyone literate enough to buy and read this book should able to understand them without having them explained. But he overloads on the explanations. The pleasure of a metaphor, etc, comes from thinking about the meaning.… More reviews