(more) |
Brian Gordon (talk | contribs) No edit summary Tags: VE Mobile edit Mobile web edit |
||
| (534 intermediate revisions by 33 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| + | {{aquote|Haven't you noticed how easily I handle [[Human]] [[speech]]? I use their [[verbal contraction|contraction]]s. For example, I say can't or isn't, and you say cannot or is not. "''I say [[tomato]], you say tomahto. I say [[potato]], you say potahto.''" A very old [[joke]]. But then you also have trouble with their [[humor]]. [[colloquialism|Am I right]]?|Lore|2364|Datalore}} |
||
| − | {{at|xx}} |
||
| − | {{pna-incomplete}} |
||
| − | '''Metaphors''' are a common quotation, a figure of speech, usually offering a piece of wisdom in reference to a present situation. '''Idioms''' have phrasing that have figurative meaning often unrelated to the actual phrasing, while '''proverbs''' are commonly sourced from [[folklore]], [[history|historical]] allusion, or [[tribal memory|tribal memories]]. |
||
| + | {{aquote|[[Mister]] [[Spock]], do you consider [[Captain]] [[James T. Kirk|Kirk]] and yourself [[brother]]s?''"<br>"''Captain Kirk speaks somewhat figuratively and with undue [[emotion]]. However, what he says is [[logic]]al and I do, in fact, agree with it.|[[Garth of Izar]]''' and '''[[Spock]]|2268|Whom Gods Destroy}} |
||
| − | == Adages == |
||
| − | ''"Look before you leap"'' ({{VOY|Bliss}}) |
||
| − | ::Claimed to be an antiquated adage by [[Seven of Nine]]. |
||
| + | A '''figure of speech''' was a [[word]] or [[phrase]] or other form of [[expression]] used to convey [[meaning]] or heighten effects by comparing or identifying one [[thing]] with another that had a meaning familiar to someone else. Certain figures of speech may differ significantly from the literal meaning of the words involved; a way to express intricate and culturally-sensitive statements. [[Euphemism]]s covered a broad array of figures of speech; as did [[colorful metaphor]]s, which might be used to express [[emotion]]. ({{film|4}}) |
||
| − | ''"Captain goes down with the ship"'' ({{VOY|Year of Hell, Part II}}) |
||
| − | ::[[Kathryn Janeway]] also considered this one of three things to remember about being a starship captain on one occasion. ({{VOY|Dark Frontier}})}} |
||
| + | The most common types of figures of speech were '''comparisons''', which consisted primarily of [[metaphor]]s and [[simile]]s. |
||
| − | Picard also once referenced an old [[horse trainer]]'s adage about putting too much weight on a young back. ({{TNG|Pen Pals}}) |
||
| + | In [[2364]], [[Beata]] apologized for referring to [[men]] in their society as belonging to the women after [[William T. Riker]] told her men were not objects one could own. ({{TNG|Angel One}}) |
||
| − | ==Aphorisms== |
||
| − | ''"A watched pot never boils."'' ({{TNG|Timescape}}) |
||
| + | In [[2372]], [[The Doctor]] explained his use of the word "our" to describe [[Samantha Wildman]] and [[Greskrendtregk]]'s [[newborn]] [[baby]] [[Naomi Wildman]], saying it was a figure of speech to technically ascribe part ownership of the child to himself, seeing as he helped [[childbirth|deliver]] her. ({{VOY|Deadlock}}) |
||
| − | ''"The left hand does not know what the right hand is doing"'' ({{TNG|Conspiracy}}) |
||
| + | {{pna-incomplete}} |
||
| − | ''"one cannot cheat fate"'' ({{TNG|Time's Arrow}}) |
||
| − | {{bginfo|The use of the word "one" might not be standard, but rather attributable to [[Data]]'s speech idiosyncrasies.}} |
||
| − | |||
| − | == Blessings == |
||
| − | === Bajoran === |
||
| − | ''"Blessed be the Prophets"'' ({{DS9|Strange Bedfellows}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | === Children of the Son === |
||
| − | ''"May the blessings of the son be upon you"'' ({{TOS|Bread and Circuses}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"Blessed be the son"'' ({{TOS|Bread and Circuses}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | === Drayan === |
||
| − | ''"May this day find you at peace and leave you with hope"'' ({{VOY| Innocence}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | === Human === |
||
| − | ''"Peace in your heart, fortune in your steps"'' ({{VOY| Innocence}}) |
||
| − | ::This phrase was in use among the [[Rubber Tree People]], and attributed to the [[Sky Spirit|spirits of their people]]. |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"May the Great Bird of the Galaxy bless your planet"'' ({{TOS|The Man Trap}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | === Yash-El === |
||
| − | ''"Dream not of today"'' ({{TNG|The Chase}}) |
||
| − | ::Described as a "night blessing". |
||
| − | |||
| − | === Vulcan === |
||
| − | ''"Live long and prosper"'' |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"Peace and long life"'' |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"May your journey be free of incident"'' ({{film|4}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | === Other === |
||
| − | While impersonating [[Tuvok]], a [[Vulcan]], [[Mobar]] adopted the blessing "''May the deities bless you''" as part of his persona. ({{VOY|Live Fast and Prosper}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | == Idioms == |
||
| − | === Between a rock and a hard place === |
||
| − | Being '''"between a rock and a hard place"''' is an [[Earth]] idiom, meaning that someone is in a situation where he or she can choose between two alternatives, and neither of them are acceptable. |
||
| − | |||
| − | In [[1986]], [[Bob Briggs]] told [[Gillian Taylor]], they're "''between a rock and a hard place''" regarding the fate of [[George and Gracie]]. ({{film|4}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | === Burning the midnight oil === |
||
| − | '''"Burning the midnight oil"''' was an [[Earth]] idiom meaning staying up late at night working or studying. |
||
| − | |||
| − | In [[2143]], [[A.G. Robinson]], who got to be the first [[Human]] to test the [[NX-Alpha]] test vehicle, told [[Jonathan Archer]] that he didn't get this assignment because he tried too hard, "''burning the midnight oil''" in the simulator eighteen to twenty hours a day. ({{ENT|First Flight}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | In [[2374]], [[Chakotay]] asked [[Captain]] [[Kathryn Janeway]] if she had been "''Burning the midnight oil''", after she, amongst others, had reported late for duty. ({{VOY|Waking Moments}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | In [[2376]], Janeway, who was working very late one night in the [[mess hall]], told [[Neelix]] that she was "''just burning the midnight oil''", to which Neelix replied that it was way past midnight. ({{VOY|Fair Haven}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''In an [[alternate timeline]] in [[2364]], [[Captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]] ordered [[Miles O'Brien]] to bypass the secondary plasma inducer, which required O'Brien to realign the entire power grid, stating "''we're all going to be burning the midnight oil on this one.''" [[Data]], who overheard O'Brien, told him that that would be inadvisable because any "''attempt to ignite a [[petroleum]] product on this ship at 0:00 hours [would] activate the fire suppression system.''"'' ({{TNG|All Good Things...}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | === ''C'est la vie'' === |
||
| − | '''"''C'est la vie''"''' ([[French]]: '''"that's life"''') is a Human idiom, meaning bad things happen, it's the way of life. |
||
| − | |||
| − | In [[2285]], when [[Admiral]] [[James Kirk]] self-destructed the USS ''Enterprise'', killing most of [[Kruge]]'s [[Klingon]] crew on board, he told the Commander on the surface of the [[Genesis (planet)|Genesis planet]]: "''Sorry about your crew, but as we say on Earth, ...'c'est la vie.'''" ({{film|3}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | === Chicken and the egg === |
||
| − | The '''"chicken and the egg"''' was a [[paradox]], usually posed as the question, "''Which came first, the [[chicken]] or the [[egg]]?''" |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''In an alternate [[anti-time future]] created by [[Q]], retired captain [[Jean-Luc Picard]], used the question of the chicken the egg as a metaphor to explain the paradox of the anti-time anomaly to [[Geordi La Forge]], [[Beverly Picard]], [[Data]], and [[William Riker]] aboard the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701|-D}}.'' ({{TNG|All Good Things...}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | In [[2372]], [[B'Elanna Torres]] described establishing communication with a duplicate of the {{USS|Voyager}} by getting them to recalibrate their comm frequency carrier wave ''before'' they'd first made contact as "''the chicken and the egg.''" ({{VOY|Deadlock}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | In the [[31st century]], [[Jonathan Archer]] described [[Daniels (Crewman)|Daniels]]' urgent need to restore the original timeline by returning the [[captain]] to the [[22nd century]] whilst lacking the technology to do so as "''a chicken or the egg problem.''" ({{ENT|Shockwave, Part II}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | Archer again said "''Chicken or the egg''" after Daniels had sent {{EnterpriseNX}} back in time to [[1944]] to stop [[Vosk]] from starting the [[Temporal Cold War]], and it became apparent that the timeline had changed ''prior'' to the [[1940]]s, with [[Lenin]]'s death in [[1916]]. ({{ENT|Storm Front, Part II}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | {{bginfo|See {{wikipedia|Chicken or the egg}}.}} |
||
| − | |||
| − | === For all the tea in China === |
||
| − | '''"For all the [[tea]] in [[China]]"''' means something is so important to a person, he or she wouldn't exchange it for even the most precious things in the world. |
||
| − | |||
| − | In [[1986]], [[Gillian Taylor]] told time traveler [[Admiral]] [[James Kirk]], when he explained to her that they want to bring [[George and Gracie]] to the [[23rd century]], and asked her if she's curious about the details, she said, "''I wouldn't miss it for all the tea in China.''" ({{film|4}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | === I couldn't fill your shoes === |
||
| − | '''"I couldn't fill your shoes"''' was a Human idiom, describing one being in a bad situation, which the other person couldn't bear. |
||
| − | |||
| − | In [[2286]], [[Leonard McCoy]] told [[Spock]], when he suffered from memory loss after being resurrected, "''What I mean is I may have carried your soul, but I sure couldn't fill your shoes,''" to which Spock replied, "''My shoes?''" ({{film|4}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | === If we play our cards right === |
||
| − | '''"If we play our [[card games|cards]] right"''' was a Human idiom, meaning "if things go well". |
||
| − | |||
| − | In [[1986]], [[Admiral]] [[James T. Kirk]] used this idiom when talking to [[Spock]], leading Spock to ask "''How will playing cards help?''" ({{film|4}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | === Needle in a haystack === |
||
| − | '''"[[Needle]] in a [[haystack]]"''' was a [[Human]] idiom which described the long-lasting search for something in a large variety of possibilities. |
||
| − | |||
| − | In [[2267]], when searching for the ''[[Galileo (2267)|Galileo]]'', [[James T. Kirk]] remarked that "''Finding a needle in a haystack would be child's play.''" ({{TOS| The Galileo Seven}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | In 2364, [[William T. Riker]] described searching [[Starfleet]] records for an instance of someone showering in their clothes as "like looking for a needle in a haystack." ({{TNG|The Naked Now}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | In [[2369]] while searching for the [[crash-landed]] [[runabout]] {{USS|Yangtzee Kiang}} in the [[Gamma Quadrant]], [[Miles O'Brien]] compared the search with searching a needle in a haystack. O'Brien and [[Jadzia Dax]] had to search several [[planet]]s, two dozen [[moon]]s, and an [[asteroid belt]]. ({{DS9|Battle Lines}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | In [[2370]], a [[Paradan]] [[Miles O'Brien (replicant)|replicant of O'Brien]] commented "''Needle in a haystack wouldn't do this job justice''" when searching for a fault in [[Deep Space 9]]'s upper [[pylon]]s. ({{DS9|Whispers}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | In [[2373]], Jadzia Dax said to [[Benjamin Sisko]] "''Do the words 'needle in a haystack' mean anything to you?''", after the {{USS|Defiant|2370}} had spent two days unsuccessfully searching the [[Badlands]] for [[Cloaking device|cloaked]] missiles appropriated by the [[Maquis]] for a strike against [[Cardassia]]. ({{DS9|Blaze of Glory}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | === Penny for your thoughts === |
||
| − | '''"[[Penny]] for your thoughts"''' is a Human idiom, meaning that someone is curious about what the other person is thinking. |
||
| − | |||
| − | In [[2368]], [[Doctor]] [[Beverly Crusher]] used the expression when she wanted to get [[Jean-Luc Picard]] to talk to her during a conversation. When Picard asked her if she has one, she told him that the [[replicator]] probably has it on file. ({{TNG|The Perfect Mate}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | In [[2369]], when [[Q]] brought back Picard to the incident at [[Starbase Earhart]] in [[2327]], he told him (acting as a bartender): "''Penny for your thoughts? You never told me you were such a lady's man,''" also jokingly referring to Picard's unsuccessful date with [[Penny Muroc]]. ({{TNG|Tapestry}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | In [[2370]], Crusher used the expression again, dining with Picard, after they shared thoughts for a time via the [[psi-wave device]] on [[Kesprytt III]]. ({{TNG|Attached}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | === Stone knives and bearskins === |
||
| − | '''"Stone knives and bearskins"''' was a colorful term employed by [[Spock]] to describe the [[1930s]] [[technology]] he was forced to use to construct a [[tricorder]] interface. Vital information was locked within Spock's tricorder: How had [[Leonard McCoy]] changed [[history]]? Spock was eventually able to construct an appropriate circuit, but retrieved two separate recordings: one in which [[Edith Keeler]] lived, and one in which she died. At that point, the improvised interface erupted in sparks and flame, ruining his chance to learn which of the recordings represented McCoy's alteration, and which the correct [[timeline]]. ({{TOS|The City on the Edge of Forever}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | [[Kathryn Janeway]] also used this expression when typing on a late [[20th century]] [[computer]] [[keyboard]] trying to find out information about [[Henry Starling]]. ({{VOY|Future's End}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | === Wash my hands of it === |
||
| − | '''"Wash my hands of it"''' is an expression used to avert a wrong decision, claiming that the person can not be held responsible for it. It comes from the [[Bible]], and was said by Pilate after he sentenced [[Jesus Christ]] to crucifixion, for the push of the crowd, however he saw he was apparently innocent. |
||
| − | |||
| − | In [[2266]], [[Doctor]] [[Simon Van Gelder]] accused [[Captain]] [[James T. Kirk]] of escaping responsibility by taking him back to the [[Tantalus colony]], and told him, "''You smart, button-pushing brass hat. Wash your hands of it. Is that your system? You're both quite sure of yourselves, aren't you?''" ({{TOS|Dagger of the Mind}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | === Wild goose chase === |
||
| − | '''"Wild goose chase"''' is an expression used to mean futile pursuit or search after something. |
||
| − | |||
| − | In [[2153]], Jonathan Archer told T'Pol "''Maybe we're just on a wild goose chase''" after their initial attempts to locate a [[dark matter nebula]] failed. ({{ENT|First Flight}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | In [[2268]], [[Leonard McCoy]] accused [[Spock]] of "''run[ning] off on some wild goose chase halfway across the galaxy,''" when Kirk, [[Nyota Uhura|Uhura]] and [[Pavel Chekov|Chekov]] disappeared from [[Gamma II]]. Spock replied, "''Doctor, I am chasing the captain, Lieutenant Uhura, and Ensign Chekov, not some wild aquatic fowl.''" ({{TOS|The Gamesters of Triskelion}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | Later that year, Spock described [[M-5]]'s diversionary tactics as "''pursuing a wild goose.''" ({{TOS|The Ultimate Computer}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | After [[Katherine Pulaski]] was abducted by [[James Moriarty]] in [[2365]], Geordi La Forge believed she planned "''to lead [Data] on a wild goose chase and then recount the story to everyone between here and [[Alpha Centauri]]."'' ({{TNG|Elementary, Dear Data}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | In [[2367]], [[Data]] told [[Doctor]] [[Beverly Crusher]], that he "''could be chasing an untamed ornithoid without a cause,''" describing this idiom, when examining the clues of [[Ambassador]] [[T'Pel (Ambassador)|T'Pel]]'s presumed death. Crusher eventually recognized the idiom, and corrected him with its common form. ({{TNG|Data's Day}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | In [[2369]], Jean-Luc Picard told [[Deanna Troi]] that his continuation of [[Professor]] [[Richard Galen]]'s research was not a case of his taking the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701|-D}} and its crew on a wild goose chase. ({{TNG|The Chase}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | In [[2371]], [[Kira Nerys]] told [[Tom Riker]] that if she had hijacked the {{USS|Defiant|2370}} as he had, she "''wouldn't have gone flying off into the middle of [[Cardassia]] on some wild goose chase."'' ({{DS9|Defiant}}] |
||
| − | |||
| − | In 2372, [[Kathryn Janeway]] was concerned that investigating "[[Planet Hell]]" might prove to be a wild goose chase. ({{VOY|Parturition}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | == Metaphors == |
||
| − | ''"Pulling the plug"'' ({{ENT|Broken Bow}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"The eye of the storm"'' ({{VOY|One Small Step}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"Double dumb ass on you"'' ({{film|4}}) |
||
| − | ::This "colorful metaphor" had fallen into disuse between [[1986]] and [[2286]], as part of a general trend towards less colorful metaphors. |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"Catching someone with their pants down"'' ({{TNG|The Defector}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"If you're going to ride in the Kentucky derby, you don't leave your prized stallion in the stable"'' ({{film|11}}) |
||
| − | ::Said to be used where {{alt|Leonard McCoy}} was from. |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"Targ manure"'' ({{VOY|In the Flesh}}) |
||
| − | {{bginfo|Seemingly used analogous to the current day "bull shit".}} |
||
| − | |||
| − | == Proverbs == |
||
| − | === Atrean === |
||
| − | ''"A child born from parents who love each other will have nothing but goodness in his heart."'' ({{TNG|Inheritance}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | === Bajoran === |
||
| − | ''"He who studies evil is studied by evil."'' ({{DS9|The Changing Face of Evil}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"If you're not fighting them, you're helping them."'' - In the [[Bajoran Resistance]] ({{DS9|Rocks and Shoals}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"The land and the people are one"'' ({{DS9|The Storyteller}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | === Cardassian === |
||
| − | ''"Confession is good for the soul."'' ({{DS9|Tribunal}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"Enemies make dangerous friends."'' ({{DS9|The Search, Part II}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | === Denobulan === |
||
| − | ''"When in [[Fellebia]], do as the [[Fellebian]]s do."'' ({{ENT|Unexpected}}) |
||
| − | {{bginfo|This would seem to be inspired by the phrase "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."}} |
||
| − | |||
| − | === Ferengi === |
||
| − | The [[Rules of Acquisition]] performed a function similar to proverbs in [[Ferengi]] culture. |
||
| − | |||
| − | The following were quoted as Ferengi sayings, but were not stated to be included in the Rules of Acquisition: |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"Never ask when you can take."'' ({{DS9|Babel}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"A good lie is easier to believe than the truth."'' ({{VOY|Shattered}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"Good things come in small packages"'' ({{DS9|Move Along Home}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"Discretion [is] the better part of valor"'' ({{DS9|The House of Quark}}) |
||
| − | ::Claimed to be an old Ferengi saying by [[Quark]]. |
||
| − | |||
| − | === Founders === |
||
| − | ''"To become a thing is to know a thing. To assume its form is to begin to understand its existence."'' ({{DS9|The Search, Part II|Behind the Lines}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"The drop becomes the ocean... The ocean becomes the drop..."'' ({{DS9|Behind the Lines}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | === Human === |
||
| − | ''"A needle in a haystack."'' ({{TNG|The Naked Now}}; {{DS9|Blaze of Glory}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"When in [[Rome]]... do as the [[Roman]]s do."'' ({{ENT|Babel One}}; {{TOS|The Savage Curtain}}; {{TNG|Justice}}; {{DS9|Let He Who Is Without Sin...}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"[[Fortune favors the bold]]."'' ({{DS9|Favor the Bold|Sacrifice of Angels}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"As healthy as a horse"'' ({{TOS|Tomorrow is Yesterday}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"Easy as pie."'' ({{VOY|Future's End}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"Power corrupts. And absolute power corrupts absolutely."'' ({{TOS|Where No Man Has Gone Before|Patterns of Force}} |
||
| − | {{bginfo|Sometimes shortened to "Power corrupts". ({{TNG|Hide and Q}})}} |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"You don't kick a man when he's down."'' ({{ENT|Judgment}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."'' ({{TOS|Friday's Child}}; {{VOY|Warhead}}) |
||
| − | ::Claimed to be [[Russian]] in origin by [[Pavel Chekov]]. |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"No good deed goes unpunished."'' ({{ENT|The Andorian Incident}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"Blood is thicker than water."'' ({{VOY|Survival Instinct}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"Even the eagle must know when to sleep."'' ({{VOY|Resolutions}}) |
||
| − | ::Used among [[Chakotay]]'s people. |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"The road to hell is paved with good intentions."'' ({{DS9|In the Pale Moonlight}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"May you live in interesting times."'' ({{VOY|The Cloud}}) |
||
| − | ::Described as "an ancient [[Chinese]] curse" by [[Harry Kim]]. |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"A stranger is a friend you just haven't met yet."'' ({{VOY|Fair Haven|Spirit Folk}}) |
||
| − | ::Michael Sullivan speculated that this might be of [[Irish]] origin. |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"Home is wherever you happen to be."'' ({{VOY|Deadlock}}) |
||
| − | ::Attributed to [[Kolopak]]. |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"The devil finds work for idle hands."'' ({{VOY|Good Shepherd}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach him to fish and he eats for a lifetime."'' ({{ENT|Marauders}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"In for a penny, in for a pound"'' ({{TNG|Pen Pals}}; {{VOY|Rise}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"All good things must come to an end."'' ({{TNG|All Good Things...}}; {{DS9|Business as Usual}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"Nothing ventured, nothing gained."'' ({{DS9|Move Along Home}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"The early bird gets the worm."'' ({{TNG|The Best of Both Worlds}}) |
||
| − | ::This was transformed into "''The early bird gets the'' [[gagh]]" by the [[EMH]] when addressing [[B'Elanna Torres]]. ({{VOY|Drone}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"Best defense is a good offense."'' ({{VOY|In the Flesh}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"Don't look a gift horse in the mouth."'' ({{ENT|Cold Front}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"The proof is in the pudding."'' ({{ENT|Rogue Planet}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"Two heads are better than one."'' ({{DS9|Bar Association}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"The ball's in your court."'' ({{ENT|Cease Fire}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"A hundred thousand welcomes"'' ({{VOY|Fair Haven}}) |
||
| − | ::Described as an old (in the [[19th century]]) [[Irish]] saying. |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"The enemy of my enemy is my friend"'' ({{TNG|Legacy}}, {{film|12}}) |
||
| − | ::Spock claimed this to be "an arab proverb attributed to a [[prince]] who was betrayed and decapitated by his own subjects". |
||
| − | {{bginfo|It is unclear which prince Spock meant, and the origins of the proverb are unknown in real life. More [http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/05/16/star_trek_into_darkness_fact_checked_was_the_enemy_of_my_enemy_guy_really.html here].}} |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"There's a warm wind blowing in from [[Minicoy]]"'' ({{DS9|The Circle}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"Those who can't, coach"'' ({{DS9|Take Me Out to the Holosuite}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"A man who's always looking over his shoulder is waiting for trouble to find him"'' ({{DS9|Captive Pursuit}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"Time flies when you're having fun"'' ({{TNG|We'll Always Have Paris}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"Follow your heart"'' ({{ENT|E²}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"The customer's always right"'' ({{ENT|Dead Stop}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"To beard the lion in its den"'' ({{DS9|In the Cards}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"Time heals all wounds, but absence makes the heart grow fonder"'' ({{ENT|These Are the Voyages...}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | Various [[Latin language|Latin phrases]] and [[Bible#Quotations and allusions|Biblical allusions]] served a function similar to proverbs in [[Human]] society. |
||
| − | |||
| − | {{bginfo|Additionally, a deleted scene from {{e|In a Mirror, Darkly, Part II}} established "''the die is cast"'' as a [[mirror universe]] Human saying. A cut scene from {{e|Dramatis Personae}} furthermore mentioned "cut of your jib".}} |
||
| − | |||
| − | === Jem'Hadar === |
||
| − | ''"Obedience brings victory."'' ({{DS9|Rocks and Shoals}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"Victory is life"'' ({{DS9|by Inferno's Light}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | === Klingon === |
||
| − | ''"Four thousand throats may be cut in one night by a running man with a knife."'' ({{TOS|Day of the Dove}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"Only a fool fights in a burning house."'' ({{TOS|Day of the Dove}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"Revenge is a dish that is best served cold."'' ({{film|2}}) |
||
| − | {{bginfo|While often associated with ''[[Star Trek]]'', this is a real expression predating the movie. It is sometimes claimed to originate with the Pashtun people of South Asia.}} |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"You cannot loosen a man's tongue with [[root beer]]."'' ({{DS9|Rapture}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"Today is a good day to die"'' |
||
| − | {{bginfo|Actually originated from the Lakotan warrior Crazy Horse.}} |
||
| − | |||
| − | In addition, various [[Kahless the Unforgettable#Quotations|sayings of Kahless]] served a function similar to proverbs in [[Klingon]] culture. |
||
| − | |||
| − | === Mikhal Traveler === |
||
| − | ''"My course is as elusive as a shadow across the sky."'' ({{VOY|Darkling}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | === Romulan === |
||
| − | ''"Never turn your back on a [[Breen]]."'' ({{DS9|By Inferno's Light}}) |
||
| + | {{figures of speech}} |
||
| − | In addition, a [[Unnamed Romulans (23rd century)#Commander .282268.29|Romulan commander]] described the fact that Vulcans are incapable of lying as a well-known saying. ({{TOS|The Enterprise Incident}}) |
||
| + | == Other figures of speech == |
||
| − | === Talaxian === |
||
| + | === Merism {{anchor|Merism}} === |
||
| − | ''"Good news has no clothes."'' ({{VOY|Lineage}}) |
||
| + | A '''merism''' was the combination of words used to refer to an entirety of a subject, often given as an expression. |
||
| + | ;"Back and forth" |
||
| − | ''"When the road before you splits in two, take the third path."'' ({{VOY|Author, Author}}) |
||
| + | * {{ENT|Terra Nova|Stigma}}; {{TOS|That Which Survives}}; {{TNG|The Outrageous Okona|Tin Man|Remember Me|The Wounded|Time's Arrow, Part II}}, {{e|Rightful Heir}}, {{e|All Good Things...}}; {{DS9|Progress|The Homecoming|Invasive Procedures|Melora|Crossfire}}, {{e|Penumbra}}; {{VOY|The Killing Game}} |
||
| + | ;"Beck and call" |
||
| − | ''"The dream dreams the dreamer."'' ({{VOY|Tinker Tenor Doctor Spy}}) |
||
| + | * {{TOS|The Man Trap}}; {{DS9|Far Beyond the Stars}}; {{VOY|Darkling}} |
||
| + | ;"{{dis|Black and white|idiom}}" |
||
| − | === Vulcan === |
||
| − | ''"Only [[Richard M. Nixon|Nixon]] could go to [[China]]."'' ({{film|6}}) |
||
| + | ;"[[Cat and mouse]]" |
||
| − | ''"One man can summon the future."'' ({{ENT|United}}) |
||
| − | ::Among [[mirror universe]] Vulcans, this saying was ''"One man cannot summon the future."'' ({{TOS|Mirror, Mirror}})}} |
||
| + | ;"Here and there" |
||
| − | ''"In accepting the inevitable, one finds peace."'' ({{VOY|Once Upon a Time}}) |
||
| + | * {{ENT|Horizon}}; {{TOS|The Deadly Years}}, {{TAS|One of Our Planets Is Missing}}, {{film|4}}; {{TNG|Time Squared|Cost Of Living}}; {{DS9|Rules of Engagement|Ferengi Love Songs}}; {{VOY|Fair Trade}} |
||
| + | ;"[[Hide and seek]]" |
||
| − | === Xindi === |
||
| − | ''"It's easier to count the stars in the sky than it is for an aquatic to reach a decision."'' ({{ENT|The Council}}) |
||
| + | ;"High and low" |
||
| − | ''"Dealing with reptilians is like bargaining with the sun. You make no progress, and you come away burned."'' ({{ENT|Azati Prime}}) |
||
| + | * {{DS9|If Wishes Were Horses}} |
||
| + | ;"Hook, line, and sinker" |
||
| − | ''"Patience is for the dead."'' ({{ENT|Azati Prime}}) |
||
| + | * {{ENT|Shockwave}}; {{VOY|Dark Frontier}} |
||
| + | ;"Ladies and gentlemen" |
||
| − | === Other and of unknown origin === |
||
| + | * {{ENT|Silent Enemy}}; {{TOS|A Taste of Armageddon|Bread and Circuses}}, {{film|6}}, {{film|7}}; {{TNG|Haven|The Outrageous Okona|The Price|Qpid|Time's Arrow, Part II}}, {{e|Second Chances}}, {{e|Emergence}}; {{DS9|Q-Less|Second Sight|Rivals|Meridian|Shakaar}}, {{e|Facets}}, {{e|Rejoined}}, {{e|The Muse}}, {{e|Body Parts}}, {{e|His Way}}, {{e|Field of Fire}}, {{e|Badda-Bing, Badda-Bang}}, {{e|What You Leave Behind}}; {{VOY|Non Sequitur|Investigations|Timeless|Someone to Watch Over Me|Barge of the Dead}}, {{e|Tinker Tenor Doctor Spy}}, {{e|Muse}}, {{e|Endgame}} |
||
| − | ''"It's lonely at the top."'' - Claimed to be an [[Arachnia|Arachnian]] saying by [[Queen Arachnia]]. |
||
| + | ;"Ladies and gentlemen, and all [[androgynous creature]]s" |
||
| − | ''"Stay out of harm's way."'' - Claimed to be a Chinese expression by [[Harry Kim]], but disputed by [[Tom Paris]] |
||
| + | * {{DS9|If Wishes Were Horses}} |
||
| + | ;"Ladies and gentlemen, and invited [[transgendered species]]" |
||
| − | ''"Put the shoe on the right foot first, but put the left foot first into the bathtub."'' - quoted by [[Jadzia Dax]] while under the influence of [[Saltah'na energy sphere]]s. ({{DS9|Dramatis Personae}}) |
||
| + | * {{film|10}} |
||
| + | ;"Lock, stock, and {{dis|barrel|firearms}}" |
||
| − | ''"There's no time like the past."'' - In use by crews of [[29th century]] [[timeship]]s. ({{VOY|Relativity}}) |
||
| + | * {{TNG|The Royale}} |
||
| + | ;"Now and again" |
||
| − | ''"There's no time like the present"'' - In use by [[Starfleet]]'s [[Temporal Mechanics Department]] in an alternative [[2404]]. ({{VOY|Endgame}}) |
||
| + | * {{TNG|Deja Q|The Best of Both Worlds, Part II}}; {{DS9|Destiny}}; {{VOY|Death Wish|Year of Hell}} |
||
| − | {{bginfo|Note that given the time periods involved, these two sayings are not mutually exclusive.}} |
||
| + | ;"Now and then" |
||
| − | ''"The early bird that hesitates gets wormed"'' |
||
| + | * {{TOS|Arena}}, et al. |
||
| − | {{bginfo|A perversion of "The Early bird gets the worm", stated by the [[Minosian]] [[Unnamed holograms#Minosian Peddler|peddler]]. Designed to indicate the impending demise of the uncertain purchaser.}} |
||
| + | ;"[[Rock and roll]]" |
||
| − | ''"Little birds in their nest get along"'' ({{VOY|Real Life}}) |
||
| − | {{bginfo|This would seem to be a [[24th century]] variation on "Birds in their little nests agree".}} |
||
| + | ;"To and fro" |
||
| − | ''"Once a thief"'' ({{DS9|Resurrection}}) |
||
| + | * {{DS9|The Ascent}}; {{VOY|Future's End, Part II}} |
||
| − | {{bginfo|On face value this might look like a Human saying, but the fact that it was quoted by a Kira, as "an old saying", without referencing Humanity, might suggest that it has come into wider use.}} |
||
| + | ;"Trial and error" |
||
| − | {{bginfo|Furthermore, a cut scene from {{e|Dramatis Personae}} had [[Quark]] mentioning "The twist of your [[tulamak]]", which was implied to be analogous to "the cut of your jib".}} |
||
| + | * {{TOS|Bread and Circuses}} |
||
| + | ;"Ups and downs" |
||
| + | * {{DS9|Change of Heart}} |
||
| + | === Metonym {{anchor|Metonyms}} === |
||
| − | == Comparisons == |
||
| + | A '''metonym''' was a type of metaphor, that rather than drawing a similarity between two things, drew contiguity (direct contact) between two things. |
||
| − | ''"Healthy as a [[Rigellian ox]]"'' ({{TNG|The Schizoid Man}}) |
||
| + | ;"Bed" |
||
| − | ''"Hot as Vulcan"'' ({{TOS|Amok Time}}) |
||
| + | In terms of "to share a [[bed]]" with someone for {{dis|sex|intercourse}}ual purposes. ({{DS9|Soldiers of the Empire|You Are Cordially Invited|Wrongs Darker Than Death or Night|Covenant}}, {{e|Strange Bedfellows}}, {{e|When It Rains...}}, {{e|What You Leave Behind}}) |
||
| + | ;"Brass" |
||
| − | ''"Dry as Vulcan"'' ({{VOY|Concerning Flight}}) |
||
| + | {{see-list|Brass}} |
||
| − | {{bginfo|Referring to the [[Vulcan (island)|Italian island]].}} |
||
| + | ;"China" |
||
| − | ''"Colder than a Breen winter"'' ({{DS9|Crossfire}}) |
||
| + | In terms of "fine china", a type of porcelain dishware originating from [[China]]. ({{VOY|Real Life}}) |
||
| − | {{bginfo|Referring to emotional coldness.}} |
||
| + | ;"Ears" |
||
| − | ''"Blind as a stump"'' ({{TNG|Loud As A Whisper}}) |
||
| + | To give full attention to something. |
||
| + | * [[Gillian Taylor]] told [[James T. Kirk]] that "I'm all ears", when he offered to tell her the truth behind his intentions with [[George and Gracie]]. ({{film|4}}) |
||
| + | * When [[William T. Riker]] wished to ask [[Kazago]] a question, the [[Ferengi]] responded, "''As you [[Human]]s say, "I'm all ears."''" ({{TNG|The Battle}}) |
||
| + | * ''Further...'' {{DS9|Profit and Lace}}; {{VOY|One Small Step|Pathfinder}}; {{ENT|The Andorian Incident|Countdown}} |
||
| + | ;"Gun" |
||
| − | ''"Bigger then [[Elvis Presley|Elvis]]"'' ({{DS9|It's Only a Paper Moon}}) |
||
| + | As in a [[hired gun]]. ({{TNG|The Price}}) |
||
| + | ;"Hand" |
||
| − | ''"Rich as [[Rockefeller family|Rockefeller]]"'' ({{DS9|It's Only a Paper Moon}}) |
||
| + | To offer help, as in "to give someone a hand." |
||
| + | * {{TOS|Dagger of the Mind|The Galileo Seven|Arena|Friday's Child}}, etc. |
||
| + | ;"Houston" |
||
| − | ''"Poor as a [[church mouse]]"'' ({{DS9|It's Only a Paper Moon}}) |
||
| + | A city in [[Texas]] on [[Earth]] that was used to refer to [[NASA]]'s [[Mission Control Center]]. ({{VOY|One Small Step}}) |
||
| + | ;"New blood" |
||
| − | ''"Clear as [[Tabalian glass]]"'' ({{DS9|For the Cause}}) |
||
| + | * {{TOS|The Gamesters of Triskelion|The Mark of Gideon}} |
||
| + | ;"Pint" |
||
| − | ''"Busier than an [[Alvanian beehive]]"'' ({{DS9|Rapture}}) |
||
| + | When used in context, a term to describe an alcoholic beverage that was often served in a [[pint]]-sized {{dis|glass|container}}. |
||
| + | ;"[[Sweat]]" |
||
| − | ''"Touchier than a raw antimatter pile"'' ({{TOS|Journey to Babel}} |
||
| + | Hard work ({{TOS|A Piece of the Action}}; {{TNG|The Ensigns of Command}}; {{VOY|The Killing Game|Demon}}) |
||
| + | ;"[[Tongue]]" |
||
| − | ''"Quiet as a Zyznian church mouse"'' ({{VOY|Q2}}) |
||
| + | A language or dialect. ({{TNG|Contagion}}; {{DS9|If Wishes Were Horses}}; {{VOY|Dragon's Teeth}}) |
||
| + | ;"Washington" |
||
| − | ''"Dropping like flies"'' ({{DS9|Business as Usual}}) |
||
| + | When used in context, a reference the [[United States]] [[government]], which was located in [[Washington, DC]]. ({{ENT|Storm Front}}; {{film|4}}; {{VOY|The 37's}}) |
||
| + | ;"Watergate" |
||
| − | ''"[[Crystal]] clear"'' ({{TOS|Arena}}; {{TOS|The Mark of Gideon}}; {{film|12}}) |
||
| + | {{See-list|Watergate}} |
||
| + | == Appendices == |
||
| − | ''"peaceful as sheep"'' ({{TOS|Wolf in the Fold}}) |
||
| + | === Background information === |
||
| + | According to the {{ds9c|?}}, [[DS9]] is often referred to as the black sheep of the ''[[Star Trek]]'' family for a variety of reasons, chiefly the stark contrast in setting (a [[space station]] as opposed to a [[starship]]) and rich plot development (as opposed to self-contained episodes, cf. alien of the week). |
||
| + | Several episode titles are based on various figures of speech and sayings: |
||
| − | ''"as right as rain"'' ({{DS9|Children of Time|Time's Orphan}}) |
||
| + | * {{TOS}} |
||
| + | ** {{e|Bread and Circuses}} |
||
| + | * {{TAS}} |
||
| + | ** {{e|How Sharper Than a Serpent's Tooth}} |
||
| + | * {{TNG}} |
||
| + | ** {{e|Loud As A Whisper}} |
||
| + | ** {{e|All Good Things...}} |
||
| + | * {{DS9}} |
||
| + | ** {{e|Playing God}} |
||
| + | ** {{e|Heart of Stone}} |
||
| + | ** {{e|When It Rains...}} |
||
| + | ** {{e|Tacking Into the Wind}} |
||
| + | === External links === |
||
| − | {{bginfo|Additionally, two comparisons have worked their way into episode titles: {{e|Loud As A Whisper}} and {{e|How Sharper Than a Serpent's Tooth}}}} |
||
| + | * {{wikipedia|Literal and figurative language}} |
||
| + | ** {{Wikipedia}} |
||
| + | [[de:Liste von Redewendungen]] |
||
| − | == External links == |
||
| − | * {{Wikipedia}} |
||
| − | * {{Wikipedia|Idiom}} |
||
| − | * {{Wikipedia|Proverb}} |
||
[[Category:Linguistics]] |
[[Category:Linguistics]] |
||
| − | [[Category: |
+ | [[Category:Literary devices]] |
| − | [[Category:Literature]] |
||
Latest revision as of 15:18, 29 November 2022
"Haven't you noticed how easily I handle Human speech? I use their contractions. For example, I say can't or isn't, and you say cannot or is not. "I say tomato, you say tomahto. I say potato, you say potahto." A very old joke. But then you also have trouble with their humor. Am I right?"
"Mister Spock, do you consider Captain Kirk and yourself brothers?"
"Captain Kirk speaks somewhat figuratively and with undue emotion. However, what he says is logical and I do, in fact, agree with it."
"Captain Kirk speaks somewhat figuratively and with undue emotion. However, what he says is logical and I do, in fact, agree with it."
A figure of speech was a word or phrase or other form of expression used to convey meaning or heighten effects by comparing or identifying one thing with another that had a meaning familiar to someone else. Certain figures of speech may differ significantly from the literal meaning of the words involved; a way to express intricate and culturally-sensitive statements. Euphemisms covered a broad array of figures of speech; as did colorful metaphors, which might be used to express emotion. (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home)
The most common types of figures of speech were comparisons, which consisted primarily of metaphors and similes.
In 2364, Beata apologized for referring to men in their society as belonging to the women after William T. Riker told her men were not objects one could own. (TNG: "Angel One")
In 2372, The Doctor explained his use of the word "our" to describe Samantha Wildman and Greskrendtregk's newborn baby Naomi Wildman, saying it was a figure of speech to technically ascribe part ownership of the child to himself, seeing as he helped deliver her. (VOY: "Deadlock")
This article or section is incompleteThis page is marked as lacking essential detail, and needs attention. Information regarding expansion requirements may be found on the article's talk page. Feel free to edit this page to assist with this expansion.
| Figures of speech |
|---|
| Adages • Allusion • Aphorism • Axiom • Cliché • Colloquialism • Euphemism • Hyperbole • Idiom • Metaphor • Motto • Onomatopoeia • Oxymoron • Personification • Profanity • Proverb • Quotation • Rhetoric • Rhetorical question • Saying • Simile • Slang |
| Subjective parlance: Arts • Biblical • Economic • Legal • Medical • Military • Nautical • Sports |
Other figures of speech
Merism
A merism was the combination of words used to refer to an entirety of a subject, often given as an expression.
- "Back and forth"
- ENT: "Terra Nova", "Stigma"; TOS: "That Which Survives"; TNG: "The Outrageous Okona", "Tin Man", "Remember Me", "The Wounded", "Time's Arrow, Part II", "Rightful Heir", "All Good Things..."; DS9: "Progress", "The Homecoming", "Invasive Procedures", "Melora", "Crossfire", "Penumbra"; VOY: "The Killing Game"
- "Beck and call"
- TOS: "The Man Trap"; DS9: "Far Beyond the Stars"; VOY: "Darkling"
- "Here and there"
- ENT: "Horizon"; TOS: "The Deadly Years", TAS: "One of Our Planets Is Missing", Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home; TNG: "Time Squared", "Cost Of Living"; DS9: "Rules of Engagement", "Ferengi Love Songs"; VOY: "Fair Trade"
- "High and low"
- "Hook, line, and sinker"
- ENT: "Shockwave"; VOY: "Dark Frontier"
- "Ladies and gentlemen"
- ENT: "Silent Enemy"; TOS: "A Taste of Armageddon", "Bread and Circuses", Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, Star Trek Generations; TNG: "Haven", "The Outrageous Okona", "The Price", "Qpid", "Time's Arrow, Part II", "Second Chances", "Emergence"; DS9: "Q-Less", "Second Sight", "Rivals", "Meridian", "Shakaar", "Facets", "Rejoined", "The Muse", "Body Parts", "His Way", "Field of Fire", "Badda-Bing, Badda-Bang", "What You Leave Behind"; VOY: "Non Sequitur", "Investigations", "Timeless", "Someone to Watch Over Me", "Barge of the Dead", "Tinker Tenor Doctor Spy", "Muse", "Endgame"
- "Ladies and gentlemen, and all androgynous creatures"
- "Ladies and gentlemen, and invited transgendered species"
- "Lock, stock, and barrel"
- TNG: "The Royale"
- "Now and again"
- TNG: "Deja Q", "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II"; DS9: "Destiny"; VOY: "Death Wish", "Year of Hell"
- "Now and then"
- "To and fro"
- DS9: "The Ascent"; VOY: "Future's End, Part II"
- "Trial and error"
- "Ups and downs"
Metonym
A metonym was a type of metaphor, that rather than drawing a similarity between two things, drew contiguity (direct contact) between two things.
- "Bed"
In terms of "to share a bed" with someone for sexual purposes. (DS9: "Soldiers of the Empire", "You Are Cordially Invited", "Wrongs Darker Than Death or Night", "Covenant", "Strange Bedfellows", "When It Rains...", "What You Leave Behind")
- "Brass"
- See: Brass
- "China"
In terms of "fine china", a type of porcelain dishware originating from China. (VOY: "Real Life")
- "Ears"
To give full attention to something.
- Gillian Taylor told James T. Kirk that "I'm all ears", when he offered to tell her the truth behind his intentions with George and Gracie. (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home)
- When William T. Riker wished to ask Kazago a question, the Ferengi responded, "As you Humans say, "I'm all ears."" (TNG: "The Battle")
- Further... DS9: "Profit and Lace"; VOY: "One Small Step", "Pathfinder"; ENT: "The Andorian Incident", "Countdown"
- "Gun"
As in a hired gun. (TNG: "The Price")
- "Hand"
To offer help, as in "to give someone a hand."
- TOS: "Dagger of the Mind", "The Galileo Seven", "Arena", "Friday's Child", etc.
- "Houston"
A city in Texas on Earth that was used to refer to NASA's Mission Control Center. (VOY: "One Small Step")
- "New blood"
- "Pint"
When used in context, a term to describe an alcoholic beverage that was often served in a pint-sized glass.
- "Sweat"
Hard work (TOS: "A Piece of the Action"; TNG: "The Ensigns of Command"; VOY: "The Killing Game", "Demon")
- "Tongue"
A language or dialect. (TNG: "Contagion"; DS9: "If Wishes Were Horses"; VOY: "Dragon's Teeth")
- "Washington"
When used in context, a reference the United States government, which was located in Washington, DC. (ENT: "Storm Front"; Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home; VOY: "The 37's")
- "Watergate"
- See: Watergate
Appendices
Background information
According to the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion (p. ?), DS9 is often referred to as the black sheep of the Star Trek family for a variety of reasons, chiefly the stark contrast in setting (a space station as opposed to a starship) and rich plot development (as opposed to self-contained episodes, cf. alien of the week).
Several episode titles are based on various figures of speech and sayings: