analogy

Question

The crane snapped like a toothpick. He rushed home like fish to water.What are they, analogy or metaphor?Thanks.

Mr Wordy · Accepted Answer

Simile.

Normally one would say "like a fish to water".

New2grammar · Answer

Is simile equal to analogy?

Analogy: Similarity in some respects between things that are otherwise dissimilar. A comparison based on such similarity

Mr Wordy · Answer

"Simile" specifically describes these figures of speech with "like a" or "as ... as a", and it often involves a comparison that is intended to make an interesting or colourful impression on the reader, or a non-literal comparison ("His mind was sharp as a sword"). "Analogy" isn't restricted to this form of words, and it usually involves a comparison that actually aids understanding.

I suppose it's possible to say that "The crane snapped like a toothpick" is making an analogy between a crane and a toothpick, but to me "analogy" seems rather too "heavyweight" a word. In nearly every sense a crane is nothing like a toothpick, and the behaviour of toothpicks tells us nothing very useful about cranes.

But if you say "In many respects, human society is like an ant colony" then you are making an analogy because you are (presumably) trying to point out similarities that are useful in actually understanding how human society works.

analogy

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