Transferrence based on resemblance. Metaphor

Metaphor is the transfer of name based on the association of similarity. It is the application of a name or a descriptive term to an object to which it is not literally applicable. E.g.: the head of Parliament, the head of the army, eye of a needle. This type of transference is also referred to as linguistic metaphor.

Metaphor may be based on the resemblance of two physical objects: the neck of a bottle; Rus.: ушко иголки.

The meaning of the word “branch” is “ limb or subdivision of a plant or tree”; but there is also “a branch of industry or art”, so it brings us to understanding that transference based on resemblance association is possible between a concrete object and an abstract concept. The noun “star” in the meaning of “heavenly body” has developed a meaning of “a famous actor” with a slightly ironical colouring. Then the ironical colouring was gone. The word has acquired a much wider usage as a football star, a pop-star etc. This meaning implies a God-like look with rays of glory. The original meaning is weakened and erased.

The meaning formed on resemblance often occur in slang of informal speech: carrot o r ginger for a red-haired person, rat for the one who is given to spying etc. Both these meanings are used metaphorically. The slang meanings of words such as “nut”, “onion” (head), “saucers” (eyes) were all formed by transference based on resemblance.

The transfer of name based on the association of similarity is as often in English as in Ukrainian. The transfer of name based on the association of similarity of nouns has the pattern animal – human being:

English	Ukrainian
Fox- a cunning person	Лис-хитра, підступна людина
Sheep-an easily led or unimaginative, silly person	Вівця-покірна, ляклива людина
Dog-an ugly, boring or rude person	Пес-погана, негідна людина, посіпака, прислуга
Parrot-a person who, without thought or understanding, merely repeats the words of other people	Папуга-той, хто не має власної думки
Hen-a woman esp. busybody or gossip	Квочка-жінка, що опікується тільки дітьми
Pig-a person of piglike character or behavior, esp. one who is fat, greedy, selfish
Swine-a coarse, brutishly sensual person	Свиня-брудна чи нечесна, підла людина
Cock-a leader, chief person	Півень-хоробрий, бадьорий, що іноді має зверхній вигляд
Rabbit-a person who is poor at sport, esp. golf, cricket, tennis	Кролик-немає відповідника, але заєць-боягуз
Cow-a large, obese, slovenly woman	Корова-незграбна, товста, негарна жінка
Bull-a large, solidly built person	Бугай- здоровий непрацьовитий чоловік
Ass-a stupid, foolish, stubborn person	Віслюк-нерозумна вперта людина
Goat-a licentious or lecherous man; lecher	Цап- a borowing from Russian and means the same
Hawk-any person who pursues an aggressive policy in business, government etc.	Яструб-войовничий
Dove-an innocent, gentle, tender person	Голуб, голубка-пестливе звертання до чоловіка, жінки
Magpie-a talkative person, noisy character	Сорока- балакуха
Viper- a false or treacherous person	Гадюка-зла, підступна людина
Snake- an insidious enemy, a treacherous person	Змія-зла підступна людина
Owl- a;person of owllike appearance or solemnity	Сова-людина, що пізно лягає і плідно працює вночі
Lark-a merry, carefree adventure, frolic, escapade	Жайворонок-людина, що рано встає і плідно працює зранку
Goose- a foolish or silly person	Гусак, гуска-бундючний, зарозумілий, але дурний чоловік
Shark-a person who preys greedily on others, as by cheating or usury	Акула-хижак; у бізнесі людина, здатна на все заради вигоди
Jackal-a person who performs dishonest or base deeds as the follower or accomplice of another	Шакал-негідник, який діє підло, зненацька
Cat-a woman given to a malicious or spiteful gossip	Кішечка, киця-пестливе, хоч і дещо зневажливе звертання до жінки
Puppy-a conceited or empty-headed young man	Щеня-зарозумілий молодий чоловік
Ducky-dear, sweetheart, darling	Качка- відповідника немає
Peacock-a vain, self-conscious person	Павич-гордовита, пихата людина
Bear-gruff, burly, clumsy, bad-mannered or rude person	Ведмідь-незграбний, неповороткий чоловік
Mouse-a quiet,timid person	Мишка-непримітна, тиха людина (переважно жінка)
Rat -a scoundrel, a person who betrays his party, esp. in the time of trouble	Пацюк-товста людина
Wolf-a cruelly rapacious person, who makes amorous advances to many women	Вовк-уособлення злості й жадібності
Crocodile-a person who makes a hypocritical show of sorrow	Крокодил-страховисько
Cuckoo-a crazy, silly, foolish person	Зозуля-жінка, яка відмовляється від дітей

Verbs denoting animals’ cries are used metaphorically with reference to human beings: bark - to utter an abrupt, explosive cry; cackle - to produce a shrill, broken cry or sound as of a hen.