Edit protocol for colliding metaphors
Parent: Mixed metaphors and catachresis as signs of reflexive figurative language · Published reference · snapshot 2026-09-23
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Source-anchored research for Edit protocol for colliding metaphors. Run status: COMPLETED.
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Comparisons and alternatives
- Reed College's writing lab says a string of three or four metaphors leaves readers confused about which model is accurate, or exhausted by repetition, and advises discussing the topic directly rather than piling on figures. (low confidence) [source]
Facts and statements
- A copyeditor-oriented guide treats a mixed metaphor as two unrelated images describing one thing (e.g. 'iron out the remaining bottlenecks') and tells editors to help authors spot and untangle it, with no detailed procedure. (low confidence) [source]
- Both fetched sources point toward the same edit: remove the conflicting image and keep a single coherent one, or state the point literally. (medium confidence) [source]
- Research from the VU metaphor lab frames whether a mixed metaphor is a fault as a question of deliberateness, so an editor should check for intent before rewriting. Only the title and search snippet were read; the PDF did not parse. (low confidence) [source]
Children
- No children recorded.