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Usenet Posted 22 years ago
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What metaphor am I trying to think of?
I'm missing a metaphor: the one where something initially co-exists well with other things in its environment, but eventually grows so big without intending to that it absorbs or squeezes out everything else around it.
I'm sure it's not a white elephant: that implies that it was foisted on the host and that it's useless as well as resource-sapping. I also don't think it's "a cuckoo in the nest" I take that to mean something which invades the environment with the intention of eventually taking over.
What does one call a co-inhabitant which unintentionally overwhelms its environment?
Cheers, Harvey
Ottawa/Toronto/Edmonton for 30 years;
Southern England for the past 22 years.
(for e-mail, change harvey.news to harvey.van)
I'm sure it's not a white elephant: that implies that it was foisted on the host and that it's useless as well as resource-sapping. I also don't think it's "a cuckoo in the nest" I take that to mean something which invades the environment with the intention of eventually taking over.
What does one call a co-inhabitant which unintentionally overwhelms its environment?
Cheers, Harvey
Ottawa/Toronto/Edmonton for 30 years;
Southern England for the past 22 years.
(for e-mail, change harvey.news to harvey.van)
Top answer
I'm missing a metaphor: the one where something initially co-exists well with other things in its environment, but eventually grows so big without intending to that it absorbs or squeezes out everything else around it. I'm sure it's not a white elephant: that implies that it was foisted on the host and that it's useless as well as resource-sapping. I also don't think it's "a cuckoo in the nest" I take that to mean something which invades the environment with the intention of eventually taking over.
- I'm missing a metaphor: the one where something initially co-exists well with other things in its environment, but eventually grows so big without intending to that it absorbs or squeezes out everything else around it.
- I'm sure it's not a white elephant: that implies that it was foisted on the host and that it's useless as well as resource-sapping.
- I also don't think it's "a cuckoo in the nest" I take that to mean something which invades the environment with the intention of eventually taking over.
- What does one call a co-inhabitant which unintentionally overwhelms its environment?
- "Elephant in the living room" is in the ballpark.
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166 Answers
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I'm missing a metaphor: the one where something initially co-exists well with other things in its environment, but eventually grows so big without intending to that it absorbs or squeezes out everything else around it.
I'm sure it's not a white elephant: that implies that it was foisted on the host and that it's useless as well as resource-sapping. I also don't think it's "a cuckoo in the
I'm sure it's not a white elephant: that implies that it was foisted on the host and that it's useless as well as resource-sapping. I also don't think it's "a cuckoo in the
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[nq:1]I'm missing a metaphor: the one where something initially co-exists well with other things in its environment, but eventually grows ... What does one call a co-inhabitant which unintentionally overwhelms its environment? "Elephant in the living room" is in the ballpark.[/nq]
Yes it is, but it's not exactly what I'm looking for: I think that implies that everyone in the room pretends it's
Yes it is, but it's not exactly what I'm looking for: I think that implies that everyone in the room pretends it's
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[nq:1]On 27 Sep 2004, Richard Maurer wrote[/nq]
[nq:2]I'm missing a metaphor: the one where something initially co-exists ... environment? "Elephant in the living room" is in the ballpark.[/nq]
[nq:1]Yes it is, but it's not exactly what I'm looking for: I think that implies that everyone in the room ... It's rather like an adult anorak whose disgusting habits and collection of something-or
[nq:2]I'm missing a metaphor: the one where something initially co-exists ... environment? "Elephant in the living room" is in the ballpark.[/nq]
[nq:1]Yes it is, but it's not exactly what I'm looking for: I think that implies that everyone in the room ... It's rather like an adult anorak whose disgusting habits and collection of something-or
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[nq:1]I'm missing a metaphor: the one where something initially co-exists well with other things in its environment, but eventually grows ... the environment with the intention of eventually taking over. What does one call a co-inhabitant which unintentionally overwhelms its environment?[/nq]
I can't think of anything 'proverbial' offhand (although I have a sense that there should be one 'on t
I can't think of anything 'proverbial' offhand (although I have a sense that there should be one 'on t
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[nq:1]I'm missing a metaphor: the one where something initially co-exists well with other things in its environment, but eventually grows ... the environment with the intention of eventually taking over. What does one call a co-inhabitant which unintentionally overwhelms its environment?[/nq]
In British English "A cuckoo in the nest" could be used.
Peter Duncanson
UK (posting from
In British English "A cuckoo in the nest" could be used.
Peter Duncanson
UK (posting from
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[nq:1]I'm missing a metaphor: the one where something initially co-exists well with other things in its environment, but eventually grows ... the environment with the intention of eventually taking over. What does one call a co-inhabitant which unintentionally overwhelms its environment?[/nq]
Cuckoo in the nest?
John Dean
Oxford
Cuckoo in the nest?
John Dean
Oxford
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John Dean typed thus:
[nq:2]I'm missing a metaphor: the one where something initially co-exists ... does one call a co-inhabitant which unintentionally overwhelms its environment?[/nq]
[nq:1]Cuckoo in the nest?[/nq]
Tee hee. I managed a final check through my reply before I posted the answer he said he didn't want, or that would have made three.
David
==
[nq:2]I'm missing a metaphor: the one where something initially co-exists ... does one call a co-inhabitant which unintentionally overwhelms its environment?[/nq]
[nq:1]Cuckoo in the nest?[/nq]
Tee hee. I managed a final check through my reply before I posted the answer he said he didn't want, or that would have made three.
David
==
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[nq:1]John Dean typed thus:[/nq]
[nq:2]Cuckoo in the nest?[/nq]
[nq:1]Tee hee. I managed a final check through my reply before I posted the answer he said he didn't want, or that would have made three.[/nq]
Oh **! I missed that.
Peter Duncanson
UK (posting from a.e.u)
[nq:2]Cuckoo in the nest?[/nq]
[nq:1]Tee hee. I managed a final check through my reply before I posted the answer he said he didn't want, or that would have made three.[/nq]
Oh **! I missed that.
Peter Duncanson
UK (posting from a.e.u)
00
[nq:1]John Dean typed thus:[/nq]
[nq:2]Cuckoo in the nest?[/nq]
[nq:1]Tee hee. I managed a final check through my reply before I posted the answer he said he didn't want, or that would have made three.[/nq]
I saw that, too!
In response to all three of you, I suppose "cuckooo in the nest" could be used, but it seems to stretch the concept for me: in my mind, it assumes malice aforet
[nq:2]Cuckoo in the nest?[/nq]
[nq:1]Tee hee. I managed a final check through my reply before I posted the answer he said he didn't want, or that would have made three.[/nq]
I saw that, too!
In response to all three of you, I suppose "cuckooo in the nest" could be used, but it seems to stretch the concept for me: in my mind, it assumes malice aforet
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[nq:1]Subject: What metaphor am I trying to think of? From: Harvey Van Sickle I'm missing a metaphor: the one where ... but eventually grows so big without intending to that it absorbs or squeezes out everything else around it.[/nq]
Grew like Topsy?
Peasemarch.
Grew like Topsy?
Peasemarch.
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