languages
Article
Metaphor and Metonymy in Food Idioms
Isabel Negro
Department of English Studies, School of Economics, Universidad Complutense de Madrid,
28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain; inegro@ccee.ucm.es
Received: 15 May 2019; Accepted: 23 June 2019; Published: 27 June 2019
Abstract: In recent decades, the development of the Conceptual Metaphor Theory, put forward by
Lakoff and other scholars. In this light, metaphor and metonymy have been found to provide a
semantic motivation for a considerable number of idiomatic expressions. Within this framework,
the present contribution explores the cognitive motivation of food idioms in English (e.g., ‘be a cup of
tea,’ ‘bread and butter,’ ‘walking on eggshells’) and Spanish (e.g., darse pisto, tener mala uva, cortar el
bacalao). The analysis reveals that idiomatic meaning often relies on metaphoric amalgams and
metonymic chains, or on the interaction between metaphor and metonymy.
Keywords: food; idiom; metaphor; metonymy
1. Introduction
In recent decades, metaphor and metonymy have been investigated within the cognitive linguistics
framework. Metaphor and metonymy are conceptual mechanisms that contribute to providing structure
to the human conceptual system. The development of the Conceptual Metaphor Theory, put forward
by Lakoff and other scholars (e.g., Lakoff and Johnson 1980; Lakoff 1987, 2006; Lakoff and Turner
1989; Kövecses 2002; cf. Ruiz de Mendoza and Pérez 2011 for assessment on the later versions) has
led to research along different lines. One such line is the cognitive basis of idioms (Dobrovol’skij
and Piirainen 2005; Langlotz 2006; Boers and Lindstromberg 2008). In this light, a number of studies
have shown the role of metaphor and metonymy in building the meaning of numerous idiomatic
expressions. Within this framework, the present article discusses the metaphorical/metonymic basis of
a set of food idioms in English and Spanish.
2. Theoretical Framework
From a cognitive linguistics perspective, metaphor and metonymy occupy a central role in our
conceptual structure.
The Conceptual Metaphor Theory is based on the following principles (Lakoff 2006):
•
•
•
•
Metaphor is primarily a cognitive mechanism.
Metaphor involves understanding a domain of experience (the target domain) in terms of a more
concrete domain (the source domain).
A metaphor is to be regarded as a mapping (e.g., a fixed set of conceptual correspondences)
between a source domain and a target domain, where one or more features of the source are
projected upon the target. As Lakoff (2006, p. 192) remarks, a metaphor is “an ontological mapping
across conceptual domains,” so that “the essence of meaning is understanding and experiencing
one kind of thing in terms of another” (Lakoff and Johnson 1980, p. 5).
Any linguistic metaphor, or metaphoric expression, is an instantiation of a conceptual metaphor.
While a metaphor is a mapping (i.e., a set of correspondences) between two different conceptual
domains, a metonymy is a domain-internal mapping. Ruiz de Mendoza and Otal (2002, p. 58) suggest
two types of metonymy based on the domain-internal nature of metonymic mappings:
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(a)
(b)
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Source-in-target metonymies are those in which the source domain is a subdomain of the
target domain, e.g., sign for state (‘to raise one’s eyebrows’). They involve domain expansion,
which consists of broadening the amount of conceptual material associated with a domain.
Target-in-source metonymies are those in which the target is a subdomain of the source, for example
part-for-part metonymies. They involve domain reduction and the consequent highlighting of
part of a domain.
Following Ruiz de Mendoza and Galera (2014), metaphors may occur within metaphoric amalgams,
and metonymies can be integrated within metonymic chains. There are two types of metaphoric
amalgam: (i) A single-source metaphoric amalgam consists of integrating one of the metaphors in
a complex into the conceptual configuration of the other; (ii) A double-source metaphoric amalgam
results from mapping two different source domains onto the same target domain. Metonymic chains
consist of combining two or more metonymies in such a way that the target domain of the first
constitutes the source domain of the following one.
Metaphor and metonymy often interplay. Some authors (e.g., Radden 2000; Barcelona 2000;
Ruiz de Mendoza and Díez 2002; Ruiz de Mendoza and Otal 2002) have discussed the conceptual
interaction between metaphor and metonymy. In this contribution, we follow Ruiz de Mendoza and
Otal (2002) that, whenever metaphor and metonymy interact, it is the latter that is subsidiary to the
former. This claim results from the nature of the two mappings. While a metaphor involves two
conceptual domains, a metonymy involves just one. Therefore, the two domains of metaphor cannot
operate within the single domain of a metonymy. Ruiz de Mendoza and Otal (2002) propose several
patterns of interaction between metaphor and metonymy:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Metonymic expansion of the metaphoric source or one of its correspondences, as in “to turn
one’s back on somebody.” The action of turning one’s back in the metaphoric source domain
is metonymically expanded onto a situation in which a person turns his back in order to
ignore somebody.
Metonymic reduction of the metaphoric source or one of its correspondences, as in “to have big
ears.” The ears metonymically stand for good hearing (organ for sense).
This element of the source domain is then projected upon a target domain in which a
person eavesdrops.
Metonymic expansion of a metaphoric target or one of its correspondences, as in “to clear one’s
throat.” There is a metaphoric correspondence between clearing one’s throat and coughing.
The result of this metaphoric mapping is then expanded by means of a metonymy, cough being
understood as a sign to attract somebody’s attention.
Metonymic reduction of the metaphoric target or one of its correspondences, as in “to open one’s
eyes to something.” The person who opens his eyes describes metaphorically the person who
becomes aware of something important. This metaphor relies on a metonymy, inasmuch as the
open eyes represent the reality seen through a person’s eyes.
3. Methodology
We selected a sample of 50 metaphorically- or metonymically-based food idioms (25 in English
and 25 in Spanish) from two dictionaries: Diccionario de dichos y frases hechas (Buitrago 2012) and Oxford
Dictionary of English Idioms (Siefrig 2004).
4. Discussion
The source domain of food is used in both English and Spanish to represent people, as shown
in the idiomatic expressions ‘top banana’ (most important person in a group/organization), ‘bad egg’
(bad/dishonest/unreliable person), ‘tough cookie’ (determined person), ‘smart cookie’ (intelligent
person), ‘a big cheese’ (very important person), ‘the cream/la flor y nata, un pedazo de pan ‘a piece of
bread’ (very kind person), un bombón (beautiful woman), and un coco (ugly person).
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Food also provides the source for the conceptualization of money, as exemplified by the English
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idiom ‘peanuts’ (a very small amount of money).
The meaning
meaning of
of some
some idioms
idioms is
is based
based on
amalgam. It
It is
is the
the case
case of
of
The
on aa single-source
single-source metaphoric
metaphoric amalgam.
‘lemon’
(silly
person),
‘peach’
(lovely
person),
un
mendrugo/un
berzas
(unintelligent
person),
and
un
‘lemon’ (silly person), ‘peach’ (lovely person), un mendrugo/un berzas (unintelligent person), and un
bombón. The
The main
mainmetaphor
metaphoroperating
operatingin
inthe
theinterpretation
interpretationof
ofthese
theseexpressions
expressionsisisPEOPLE
peopleARE
areFOODS
foods,,
bombón.
but it
it needs
needs to
to be
be conceptually
conceptually enriched
enriched in
in order
order to
to explain
explain why
why aa silly
silly person
person is
is said
said to
to be
be aa lemon,
lemon,
but
a
lovely
person
is
said
to
be
a
peach,
an
attractive
woman
is
said
to
be
a
chocolate
(bombón),
and
an
a lovely person is said to be a peach, an attractive woman is said to be a chocolate (bombón), and an
unintelligent person
effect
is
unintelligent
person is
is said
saidto
tobe
beaacrust
crustof
ofbread
bread(mendrugo)
(mendrugo)orora acabbage
cabbage(berza).
(berza).This
Thismeaning
meaning
effect
achieved
through
the
application
of
a
metaphor
that
maps
a
property
of
these
food
items
onto
a
specific
is achieved through the application of a metaphor that maps a property of these food items onto a
personality
feature. feature.
Thus, sourness
and little
value
mapped
onto lack
of intelligence
(‘a lemon’,
specific
personality
Thus, sourness
and
littleare
value
are mapped
onto
lack of intelligence
(‘a
mendrugo/berzas),
and
sweetness
onto
charm
(‘a
peach’)
or
attractiveness
(un
bombón).
These
metaphors
lemon’, mendrugo/berzas), and sweetness onto charm (‘a peach’) or attractiveness (un bombón). These
combine into
single-source
metaphoricmetaphoric
amalgams amalgams
with the more
metaphor
people arePEOPLE
foods.
metaphors
combine
into single-source
withgeneral
the more
general metaphor
Figure
1
provides
an
illustration
of
this
process.
ARE FOODS. Figure 1 provides an illustration of this process.
Languages 2019, 4, x FOR PEER REVIEW
Source
 Target
Foods
 People
Little value
Lack of intelligence
Figure
berzas.
Figure 1.
1. Metaphoric
Metaphoric amalgam
amalgam underlying
underlying the
the interpretation
interpretation of
of ser
ser un
un mendrugo/un
mendrugo/un berzas.
Metonymy underlies
asas
‘full
of beans’
(full(full
of energy’)
and and
tenertener
mala leche
Metonymy
underliesaafew
fewidioms
idiomssuch
such
‘full
of beans’
of energy’)
mala ‘sour
leche
milk’ milk’
(to be (to
bad-tempered).
The first
expression
calls forcalls
an object
its properties
source-in-target
‘sour
be bad-tempered).
The
first expression
for an for
OBJECT
FOR ITS PROPERTIES
sourcemetonymy,
since beans
make
an excellent
source of source
proteinofand
energy.
second
activates
in-target
metonymy,
since
beans
make an excellent
protein
andThe
energy.
Theidiom
second
idiom
a cause for
effectFOR
metonymy,
based on the
belief
milk
supplied
bysupplied
the mother
the
activates
a CAUSE
EFFECT metonymy,
based
onthat
the the
belief
that
the milk
by affected
the mother
baby’s character.
Other
idiomsOther
are based
on aare
metonymic
It is the
case ofIt‘toisbring
home
affected
the baby’s
character.
idioms
based oncomplex.
a metonymic
complex.
the case
of the
‘to
1 /las lentejas
bacon’
(earn
the
household
income),
ganarse
el
pan
‘bread’/los
garbanzos
‘chickpeas’/el
cocido
bring home the bacon’ (earn the household income), ganarse el pan ‘bread’/los garbanzos ‘chickpeas’/el
‘lentils’/las
habichuelas
‘beans’habichuelas
(‘earn a living’),
‘bread
and butter’
(job/activity
that provides
you
cocido 1/las lentejas
‘lentils’/las
‘beans’and
(‘earn
a living’),
and ‘bread
and butter’
(job/activity
withprovides
a steady income).
the initial
metonymy,
foodmetonymy,
items are made
to stand
forare
food
by virtue
of
that
you withIn
a steady
income).
In thethe
initial
the food
items
made
to stand
a genus
speciesoftarget-in-source
metonymy.
The second
metonymic
process
food stand
for
for
food for
by virtue
a GENUS FOR SPECIES
target-in-source
metonymy.
The
secondmakes
metonymic
process
the money
obtain
it. This
metonymic
operation
highlights
the subdomain
is relevant
makes
foodnecessary
stand fortothe
money
necessary
to obtain
it. This
metonymic
operation that
highlights
the
for interpretation,
this case,
In the idiom
and butter’
that provides
you
subdomain
that isin
relevant
forMONEY.
interpretation,
in this‘bread
case, MONEY.
In(job/activity
the idiom ‘bread
and butter’
with a steadythat
income),
a third
domain
reduction
process
makes
money
stand for
the activity
to
(job/activity
provides
you with
a steady
income),
a third
domain
reduction
process
makesdone
money
earn itfor
(purpose
of thedone
action
for action).
Figure
2 schematizes
combination
metonymies.
stand
the activity
to earn
it (PURPOSE
OF THE
ACTION FORthis
ACTION
). Figure 2ofschematizes
this
combination of metonymies.
In much the same way, a double metonymy underlies the idiom hacer buenas migas, which evokes
1
the
migrating
habit of
meeting
up to cook and then eat this dish 2. Cooking this dish
Cocido is a dishshepherds’
made with chickpeas,
meat
and vegetables.
metonymically represents the good relationship between the shepherds who prepared it together.
Such a good relationship then stands for good relationships between people in general.
The interpretation of a set of idioms in our sample relies on four types of interaction between
metaphor and metonymy: (1) Metonymic expansion of the metaphoric source; (2) metonymic
reduction of the metaphoric source; (3) metonymic reduction of the metaphoric target; and (4)
metonymic expansion of the metaphoric source and metonymic reduction of the metaphoric target.
1
Cocido is a dish made with chickpeas, meat and vegetables.
2
The dish consists of breadcrumbs fried with garlic and paprika.
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Bread and butter
Food
Money to obtain food
Activity to earn money
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Figure
and butter.
butter.
Figure 2.
2. Metonymic
Metonymic complex
complex underlying
underlying the
the interpretation
interpretation of
of bread
bread and
Bread and butter
much the expansion
same way, of
a double
metonymy
underlies the idiom hacer buenas migas, which evokes
(1) In
Metonymic
the metaphoric
source
the migrating shepherds’ habit of meeting
up to cook and then eat this dish2 . Cooking this dish
Food
Let us consider the idiom cortar el bacalao.
In the source domain, we have a fishmonger cutting
metonymically represents the good relationship between the shepherds who prepared it together.
cod. The action stands for the fishmonger’s ability to cut cod—a fish that breaks easily into pieces—
to obtain food
Such a good relationship then stands for goodMoney
relationships
between people in general.
by virtue of a source-in-target metonymy. This ability is then mapped onto authority, which gives
The interpretation of a set of idioms in our sample relies on four types of interaction between
rise to the meaning ‘direct, control.’ The resultingActivity
pattern
ismoney
one of metonymic expansion of the
to earn
metaphor and metonymy: (1) Metonymic expansion of the metaphoric source; (2) metonymic reduction
metaphoric source domain, as shown in Figure 3.
of the metaphoric source; (3) metonymic reduction of the metaphoric target; and (4) metonymic
Figure 2. Metonymic
complex
underlying
the interpretation
of bread and
butter.
expansion of the metaphoric
source and
metonymic
reduction
of the metaphoric
target.
SOURCE
(1) (1)
Metonymic
expansion
of the
metaphoric
source
Metonymic
expansion
of the
metaphoric
source
Be able to cut cod
TARGET
Let Let
us consider
the the
idiom
cortar
el bacalao.
In the
source
domain,
we we
have
a fishmonger
cutting
us consider
idiom
cortar
el bacalao.
In the
source
domain,
have
a fishmonger
cutting
To control
cod.cod.
TheThe
action
stands
for
the
fishmonger’s
ability
to
cut
cod—a
fish
that
breaks
easily
into
pieces—by
action stands
for
the
fishmonger’s
ability
to
cut
cod—a
fish
that
breaks
easily
into
pieces—
Metonymy
virtue
a source-in-target
metonymy.
This
then mapped
onto authority,
which gives
rise to
(THE ACTION
FOR THE
ABILITY
TOability
DO IT)
by of
virtue
of a source-in-target
metonymy.
Thisisability
is then mapped
onto authority,
which
gives
the rise
meaning
‘direct,
control.’
The
resulting
pattern
is
one
of
metonymic
expansion
of
the
metaphoric
to the meaning ‘direct, control.’ The resulting pattern is one of metonymic expansion of the
source
domain, source
as shown
inelFigure
3.
cortar
bacalao
metaphoric
domain,
as shown
in Figure 3.
Figure 3. Metonymic expansion
of the metaphoric source underlying the interpretation of cortar el
SOURCE
bacalao.
Be able to cut cod
TARGET
To control
The idiom ‘spill the beans’ (reveal a secret) evokes the ancient Greek
method of placing black or
white beans in a jar toMetonymy
cast votes (a white bean indicated a positive vote and a black bean was
(THE ACTION FOR THE ABILITY TO DO IT)
negative). If someone spilled
the jar of beans, the election results would be known earlier. We
highlight the result of spilling the beans by virtue of the ACTION FOR RESULT source-in-target
cortar el bacalao
metonymy. This metaphorical process is schematized in Figure 4.
Figure
3. Metonymic
expansion
metaphoric
source
underlyingthe
theinterpretation
interpretationofofcortar
cortar el
Figure
3. Metonymic
expansion
of of
thethe
metaphoric
source
underlying
SOURCE
bacalao.
el bacalao.
Reveal the election results
TARGET
idiom
‘spill
beans’
(reveal
a secret)
evokes
ancient
Greek
method
of placing
black
TheThe
idiom
‘spill
the the
beans’
(reveal
a secret)
evokes
the the
ancient
Greek
method
of placing
black
or or
white
beans
in to
a jar
cast(avotes
white
bean indicated
positive
black
bean was
white
beans
in a jar
castto
votes
white(abean
indicated
a positive avote
and a vote
blackand
beanawas
negative).
Metonymy
Reveal
a secret
negative).
If someone
the election
jar of beans,
election
results
would
knownthe
earlier.
If someone
spilled
the jar ofspilled
beans, the
resultsthe
would
be known
earlier.
Webe
highlight
resultWe
(ACTION
FOR
RESULT)
highlight
result
of spilling
the beans
by virtue
of the ACTION
FOR RESULT
source-in-target
of spilling
the the
beans
by virtue
of the action
for result
source-in-target
metonymy.
This metaphorical
metonymy.
This metaphorical
process
is schematized
in Figure 4.process is schematized in Figure 4.
spill the beans
2
SOURCE
Figure
4. Metonymic
expansion
the
metaphoric
source underlying the interpretation of ‘spill the
The
dish consists
of breadcrumbs
fried of
with
garlic
and paprika.
beans.’
Reveal the election results
TARGET
The idiomatic expression descubrir el pastel calls for a WHOLE-FOR-PART source-in-target
Metonymy
Reveal
a secret
metonymy. Pastel refers to a meat pie eaten in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Pastry
cooks used to make
(ACTION
FOR
RESULT)
it with more pastry than mince, so that people had to find where the meat was. The pie is made to
spill the beans
Figure 4. Metonymic expansion of the metaphoric source underlying the interpretation of ‘spill the
The idiom ‘spill the beans’ (reveal a secret) evokes the ancient Greek method of placing black or
white beans in a jar to cast votes (a white bean indicated a positive vote and a black bean was
negative). If someone spilled the jar of beans, the election results would be known earlier. We
highlight
the4, 47
result of spilling the beans by virtue of the ACTION FOR RESULT source-in-target
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metonymy. This metaphorical process is schematized in Figure 4.
SOURCE
Reveal the election results
Metonymy
(ACTION FOR RESULT)
TARGET
Reveal a secret
spill the beans
Figure 4.
4. Metonymic
source
underlying
thethe
interpretation
of ‘spill
the
Figure
Metonymicexpansion
expansionofofthe
themetaphoric
metaphoric
source
underlying
interpretation
of ‘spill
beans.’
the
beans’.
The
descubrir
el pastel
calls for
a whole-for-part
metonymy.
The idiomatic
idiomaticexpression
expression
descubrir
el pastel
calls
for a WHOLE-source-in-target
FOR-PART source-in-target
Pastel
refers
to
a
meat
pie
eaten
in
the
16th
and
17th
centuries.
Pastry
cooks
used
to
make
it
with
more
metonymy. Pastel refers to a meat pie eaten in the 16th and 17th centuries. Pastry cooks used
to make
pastry
thatmince,
peoplesohad
find where
thefind
meat
was.the
Themeat
pie is
made
stand
for the
it withthan
moremince,
pastrysothan
thattopeople
had to
where
was.
Thetopie
is made
to
meat inside it through an operation of metonymic expansion. Then finding the meat hidden in the
pastry is mapped onto hidden information in order to yield the idiomatic meaning.
(2)
Metonymic reduction of the metaphoric source
The idioms mandar a freír espárragos, ‘to have your cake and eat it’ and ‘walking on eggshells’
are all based on the specific for generic target-in-source metonymy. In the expression mandar a freír
espárragos frying asparagus, which is a useless task, since it is easier to boil it, stands for any useless
task though an operation of metonymic reduction. Making someone do something useless is then
understood as keeping them away for as long as possible.
To have your cake and eat it at the same time is impossible. This situation metonymically stands
for any situation in which somebody attempts to obtain two incompatible things. Trying to have two
incompatible things is then understood as wanting more than one deserves or can handle.
The same specific for generic metonymy gives rise to the meaning of the idiom ‘walking on
eggshells.’ The action metonymically stands for any action requiring caution. Hence the metaphorical
meaning ‘to act sensitively to avoid offending somebody.’
The idioms estar a la sopa boba, darse pisto and ‘meat and potatoes’ reflect another target-in-source
metonymy, namely the genus for the species. In estar a la sopa boba, the word sopa evokes the broth
given to the homeless outside convents in the 16th century. The soup is made to stand for food.
The metonymy allows for the interpretation of being fed by someone as living at their expense. In the
idiom darse pisto, pisto (fried vegetable hash) used to be a dish made up of different kinds of minced
meat that well-off people ate. Again, the dish metonymically stands for food, particularly the food
that only some people could afford. Eating fine foods and dishes is then metaphorically understood
as showing off. In much the same way, ‘meat and potatoes’ stand for basic food. Basic food in the
metaphorical source domain is then made to correspond with the basic needs of life, or of something in
the target domain.
The expression atar los perros con longanizas is based on the metonymy the sign of wealth for
wealth. Sausages being used as a leash indicate a person’s wealth, hence the idiomatic meaning ‘to
live in opulence.’
A further target-in-source metonymy integrated into a metaphor is exemplified in the idiom ‘to
have one finger in every pie,’ where the finger metonymically represents the action of eating from
many pies (gesture for action). The metonymy allows the action of eating to be interpreted as doing
many different things.
A similar interactional pattern underlies the interpretation of the idiom tener mala uva, although
the metaphorical mapping integrates a metonymic chain rather than a single metonymy. The grapes in
the metaphoric source domain undergo a process of metonymic reduction that serves to highlight those
Languages 2019, 4, 47
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aspects that are relevant to the metaphoric mapping. Such a process involves four consecutive domain
reduction operations (see Figure 5). The first operation highlights wine by virtue of a part-for-whole
metonymy. The second operation gives access to drinking through an object for action metonymy.
In the third operation, wine drinking is made to stand for its effects, namely aggressive behavior.
Aggressiveness as a result of wine drinking is then set in metaphoric correspondence with bad temper.
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SOURCE
SOURCE
Tener mala uva
Tener mala uva
Grapes
Grapes
Metonymy (PART-FOR-WHOLE)
Metonymy (PART-FOR-WHOLE)
Wine
Wine
Metonymy (OBJECT FOR ACTION)
Metonymy (OBJECT FOR ACTION)
Drinking
Drinking
TARGET
TARGET
Bad temper
Bad temper
Metonymy (CAUSE FOR EFFECT)
Metonymy (CAUSE FOR EFFECT)
Aggressiveness
Aggressiveness
Figure
Figure 5.
5. Metonymic
Metonymic chain
chain underlying
underlying the
the interpretation
interpretation of
of tener
tener mala
mala uva.
uva.
Figure
5.
Metonymic
chain
underlying
the
interpretation
of
tener
mala
uva.
Another metonymic
metonymic chain
chain involving
involving metonymic
metonymic reduction
reduction underlies
underlies the
the expression
expression ‘it’s
‘it’s not
not my
my
Another
Another metonymic chain involving metonymic reduction underlies the expression ‘it’s not my
cup of
of tea.’
tea.’ First,
First,the
thecup
cupofoftea
teastands
standsfor
forthe
the
action
drinking
(object
for
action).
virtue
cup
action
ofof
teatea
drinking
(OBJECT
FOR
ACTION
). ByBy
virtue
of
cup of tea.’ First, the cup of tea stands for the action of tea drinking (OBJECT FOR ACTION). By virtue of
a further
target-in-source
metonymy,
drinkingisisthen
thenmade
madetotostand
standfor
for any
any pleasant
pleasant activity
activity
aoffurther
target-in-source
metonymy,
teatea
drinking
a further target-in-source metonymy, tea drinking is then made to stand for any pleasant activity
for GENERIC
generic).). This
for the
the use
use of
of the
the idiom
idiom to
to refer
refer to
to something
something
((specific
SPECIFIC FOR
This metonymic
metonymic process
process allows
allows for
(SPECIFIC FOR GENERIC). This metonymic process allows for the use of the idiom to refer to something
that the
the speaker
speaker enjoys
enjoys doing.
doing.
that
that the speaker enjoys doing.
(3) Metonymic
Metonymic reduction
reduction of
of the
the metaphoric
metaphoric target
(3)
target
(3) Metonymic reduction of the metaphoric target
The idioms
idioms comerse
comerse el
el coco
coco (‘to
(‘to think
think over
over and
and over’),
over’), tener
tener huevos
huevos (‘be
(‘be courageous’),
courageous’), and
and estar
estar hasta
hasta
The
The idioms comerse el coco (‘to think over and over’), tener huevos (‘be courageous’), and estar hasta
los huevos
huevos (‘be
(‘be fed
fed up
up with
with something’)
something’) profile
profile the
the metaphor
metaphor BODY
body PARTS
parts ARE
are FOODS
foods.. This
This metaphor
metaphor
los
los huevos (‘be fed up with something’) profile the metaphor BODY PARTS ARE FOODS. This metaphor
licenses the
the shift
shift from
from aa coconut
coconut to
to aa person’s
person’s head,
head, and
and from
from eggs
eggs to
to aa man’s
man’s testicles.
testicles. The
The expression
expression
licenses
licenses the shift from a coconut to a person’s head, and from eggs to a man’s testicles. The expression
comerse el
el coco
its
typical
functions
(Barcelona
2000,
p. 265),
or,
comerse
coco reflects
reflects the
the metonymy
metonymy body
BODYpart
PARTfor
FOR
ITS
TYPICAL
FUNCTIONS
(Barcelona
2000,
p. 265),
comerse el coco reflects the metonymy BODY PART FOR ITS TYPICAL FUNCTIONS (Barcelona 2000, p. 265),
as per
RuizRuiz
de Mendoza
and Galera
(2014, (2014,
p. 113),p.the
high-level
metonymy
instrument
for function.
or,
as per
de Mendoza
and Galera
113),
the high-level
metonymy
INSTRUMENT
FOR
or, as per Ruiz de Mendoza and Galera (2014, p. 113), the high-level metonymy INSTRUMENT FOR
This target-in-source
metonymy highlights
thehighlights
instrumental
of the head/brain
thinking.
Figurein6
. This target-in-source
metonymy
therole
instrumental
role ofinthe
head/brain
FUNCTION
FUNCTION. This target-in-source metonymy highlights the instrumental role of the head/brain in
provides an
illustration
of this
thinking.
Figure
6 provides
an process.
illustration of this process.
thinking. Figure 6 provides an illustration of this process.
SOURCE
SOURCE
coco
coco
TARGET
TARGET
A person’s head
A person’s head
Metonymy (BODY PART FOR
Metonymy (BODY PART FOR
ITS TYPICAL FUNCTTIONS)
ITS TYPICAL FUNCTTIONS)
To think over and over
To think over and over
Figure 6. Metonymic reduction of the metaphoric target underlying the interpretation of comerse el coco.
Figure
the
interpretation
of of
comerse
el coco.
Figure 6.
6. Metonymic
Metonymicreduction
reductionofofthe
themetaphoric
metaphorictarget
targetunderlying
underlying
the
interpretation
comerse
el coco.
In
the idioms
idioms tener
huevos
los huevos,
theparts
BODY PARTS ARE FOODS metaphor
In the
huevos
andand
estarestar
hastahasta
los huevos,
the body
foods
metaphor
subsumes
In
the idiomstener
tener
huevos
and
estar
hasta
los huevos,
the BODYare
PARTS
ARE
FOODS metaphor
subsumes
the
metonymy
BODY PART FOR ITS TYPICAL FUNCTIONS AND FOR THE ATTRIBUTES CONNECTED
the metonymy
body part BODY
for its
typical
functions
and for the
attributes
connectedCONNECTED
with them
subsumes
the metonymy
PART
FOR ITS
TYPICAL FUNCTIONS
AND
FOR THE ATTRIBUTES
WITH THEM (Barcelona 2000, p. 265), as illustrated in Figure 7. The testicles are the seat of courage
(Barcelona
p. 265),2000,
as illustrated
in illustrated
Figure 7. The
thetesticles
seat of courage
(tenerofhuevos)
or
(Barcelona
p. 265), as
in testicles
Figure 7.are
The
are the seat
courage
WITH THEM2000,
(tener
or anger
(estar hasta los huevos).
anger huevos)
(estar hasta
los huevos).
(tener
huevos)
or anger
(estar hasta los huevos).
SOURCE
SOURCE
huevos
huevos
TARGET
TARGET
A man’s testicles
A man’s testicles
Metonymy (BODY PART FOR ITS TYPICAL FUNCTIONS
Metonymy (BODY PART FOR ITS TYPICAL FUNCTIONS
FOR THE ATTRIBUTES CONNECTED WITH THEM)
FOR THE ATTRIBUTES CONNECTED WITH THEM)
Be courageous
Be courageous
Figure 6. Metonymic reduction of the metaphoric target underlying the interpretation of comerse el coco.
In the idioms tener huevos and estar hasta los huevos, the BODY PARTS ARE FOODS metaphor
subsumes the metonymy BODY PART FOR ITS TYPICAL FUNCTIONS AND FOR THE ATTRIBUTES CONNECTED
2000, p. 265), as illustrated in Figure 7. The testicles are the seat of courage
WITH THEM
Languages
2019,(Barcelona
4, 47
7 of 8
(tener huevos) or anger (estar hasta los huevos).
SOURCE
huevos
TARGET
A man’s testicles
Metonymy (BODY PART FOR ITS TYPICAL FUNCTIONS
FOR THE ATTRIBUTES CONNECTED WITH THEM)
Be courageous
Languages 2019, 4, x FOR PEER REVIEW
Figure
Metonymicreduction
reductionofofthe
themetaphoric
metaphoric target
target underlying
underlying the
Figure
7. 7.
Metonymic
theinterpretation
interpretationofoftener
tenerhuevos.
huevos.
7 of 8
(4) Metonymic expansion of the metaphoric source and metonymic reduction of the metaphoric
(4) Metonymic
expansion of the metaphoric source and metonymic reduction of the metaphoric target
target
The
cara
de de
vinagre—‘to
be be
angry/bad-tempered’—is
based
on
Themeaning
meaningofofthe
theSpanish
Spanishidiom
idiomponer
poner
cara
vinagre—‘to
angry/bad-tempered’—is
based
aon
metonymic
process.
In
the
metaphoric
source
domain
we
find
vinegar.
The
target
domain
depicts
a metonymic process. In the metaphoric source domain we find vinegar. The target domain
someone
who is angry
bad-tempered.
Vinegar,
which is
madeisto
stand
sourness
(one of(one
its
depicts someone
who isorangry
or bad-tempered.
Vinegar,
which
made
to for
stand
for sourness
properties)
through
metonymic
expansion,
maps
onto
anger/bad
temper
in
the
metaphoric
domain.
of its properties) through metonymic expansion, maps onto anger/bad temper in the metaphoric
This
mapping
activated through
a signthrough
of emotion
for emotion
target-in-source metonymy, whereby
domain.
Thisis mapping
is activated
a SIGN
OF EMOTION FOR EMOTION target-in-source
ametonymy,
person’s angry
expression
stands
for the
feeling ofstands
anger.for
See
Figure
8 for
the schematization
whereby
a person’s
angry
expression
the
feeling
of anger.
See Figure 8 of
forthis
the
interactional
pattern.
schematization of this interactional pattern.
SOURCE
TARGET
Vinegar
A person’s angry expression
Metonymy (SIGN OF
EMOTION FOR EMOTION)
Sourness
Anger
Figure8.8.Metonymic
Metonymicreduction
reductionofofthe
themetaphoric
metaphoric
target
underlying
interpretation
of estar
Figure
target
underlying
thethe
interpretation
of estar
hastahasta
los
los huevos.
huevos.
5.5. Conclusions
Conclusions
The
Thepresent
presentarticle
articlehas
hassought
soughtto
togive
giveevidence
evidenceof
ofthe
themetaphorical/metonymic
metaphorical/metonymicbasis
basisof
ofidioms
idioms
across
languages.
The
study
of
a
sample
of
food
idioms
in
English
and
Spanish
has
revealed
across languages. The study of a sample of food idioms in English and Spanish has revealed(1)
(1)the
the
role
roleof
ofmetaphor
metaphorand
andmetonymy
metonymyin
inconstruing
construingidiomatic
idiomaticmeaning,
meaning, and
and(2)
(2)the
theinteraction
interactionbetween
between
metaphor
metaphorand
andmetonymy.
metonymy.The
Thestudy
studyhas
hasalso
alsoshown
shownthat
thatmetaphor
metaphorand
andmetonymy
metonymymay
maycombine
combinein
in
different
ways,
giving
rise
to
metaphoric
amalgams
and
metonymic
chains.
different ways, giving rise to metaphoric amalgams and metonymic chains.
The
explore
this
topic
onon
thethe
basis
of of
a
Thescope
scopeof
ofthe
thepaper
paperbeing
beinglimited,
limited,further
furtherresearch
researchneeds
needstoto
explore
this
topic
basis
large
corpus.
a large corpus.
Funding: This research received no external funding.
Funding: This research received no external funding.
Conflicts of Interest: The author declares no conflict of interest.
Conflicts of Interest: The author declares no conflict of interest.
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article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution
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