Re: Digest Number 372

[Robin Turner <robin@BILKENT.EDU.TR>]

pycyn@aol.com wrote:
> 
> From: pycyn@aol.com
> 
> We sure can make a compound with the computer word. But we can also (these
> things weren't called metaphors exactly for nothing in the old days) just the
> word for virus and -- for the somnambulent -- throw in a "figurative use" tag
> (pe'a-po'a on my ancient list). As for computer viruses not being viruses,
> remember that viruses are scarcely more than code themselves -- a DNA stand
> with minor auxiliaries, and arguably not organisms at all.
> pc

for an example of "official" metaphorical use, there's

nirna [ nir ] nerve
x1 is a nerve/neuron [body-part] of x2; [metaphor:
information/control network connection] 

vidru seems to be an analogous case. In generel there seem to be
fewer problems in extending "expert" terms to "folk" categories
than vice versa.

co'o mi'e robin.