In the spirit of my birthday I would have loved to talk about catharsis, but I have something more interesting for us. 

And thank you all for your warm wishes and gifts yesterday – I do not esteem it lightly.  

…

The topic of particular concern today is Metonymy in Literature. 

If you are or are not an art student, you may be familiar with this figure of speech that has to do with representing one thing by something closely associated with it. – This is what Metonymy simply means.

A good example is the all-familiar one in our literature textbooks during junior secondary school days: The “red caps” are talking. 

“Red caps” is a symbol of cultural authority referenced to chiefs instead of directly calling them chiefs. It is using “red caps,” which is something strongly associated with chiefhood, to address the men who are the chiefs. 

Understood?

Now let us get advanced into it.

But before we do, what did you call that your sibling that annoyed you this morning instead of their real name?😏 

You bràt! Right? I know!

And some other more 'creative names' you've come up with to express your displeasure.

So is your sibling's name in any way related to 'bràt' whatever annoying ones you call them? 

No right?

But why do you call them that? 

Because 'bràty' behavior is now strongly associated with their chosen career path of getting on your nerves.

Simple! 

If you're on this boat then you deserve a chief executive title for the number one Metonymy premium user!

You get my point right?

So let's move back to context.

Metonymy happens when we substitute the actual name of a thing with something closely linked to it.

Not because we have forgotten the real name, but because the association is already strong enough for people to understand what we mean instead.

Another example: – "Money is speaking". 

Money does not literally have a mouth form words and hold conversations.

It is just paper, digits, or currency. But it we say it speaks because money is strongly associated with power, influence, privilege, and access.

It has the authority to command and society pays heed.

That is metonymy.

2. “The Crown” made a decision.

Did an actual metallic crown stand up and begin issuing commands?

No.

“The Crown” refers to the monarchy or royal authority because the crown is closely related to kingship.

“The stage” for the entertainment industry.

“The streets” for public opinion or harsh realities.

“The bench” for judges.

“The press” for journalists.

And social media has created new versions too.

When someone says:

“Instagram people…” or “Twitter people…”

They're not talking about the application itself.

They're referring to the behavior commonly displayed by the users there.

Language is constantly searching for shortcuts without losing meaning.

That is why figures of speech are not only confined to examination halls and heavy definitions.

They are alive in our daily conversations, arguments, headlines, jokes, and dramatic family disputes.

And if you called your sibling “problematic” this morning…

E so ya!

Princess Ella ⚜️