Figure of speech

Haven't you noticed how easily I handle Human speech? I use their contractions. For example, I say can't or isn't, and you say cannot or is not. "I say tomato, you say tomahto. I say potato, you say potahto." A very old joke. But then you also have trouble with their humor. Am I right?Lore

Mister Spock, do you consider Captain Kirk and yourself brothers?"
"Captain Kirk speaks somewhat figuratively and with undue emotion. However, what he says is logical and I do, in fact, agree with it.Garth of Izar and Spock

A figure of speech was a word or phrase or other form of expression used to convey meaning or heighten effects by comparing or identifying one thing with another that had a meaning familiar to someone else. Certain figures of speech may differ significantly from the literal meaning of the words involved; a way to express intricate and culturally-sensitive statements. Euphemisms covered a broad array of figures of speech; as did colorful metaphors, which might be used to express emotion. (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home)

The most common types of figures of speech were comparisons, which consisted primarily of metaphors and similes.

In 2364, Beata apologized for referring to men in their society as belonging to the women after William T. Riker told her men were not objects one could own. (TNG: "Angel One")

In 2372, The Doctor explained his use of the word "our" to describe Samantha Wildman and Greskrendtregk's newborn baby Naomi Wildman, saying it was a figure of speech to technically ascribe part ownership of the child to himself, seeing as he helped deliver her. (VOY: "Deadlock")

Other figures of speech

Merism

A merism was the combination of words used to refer to an entirety of a subject, often given as an expression.

"Back and forth"

• ENT: "Terra Nova", "Stigma"; TOS: "That Which Survives"; TNG: "The Outrageous Okona", "Tin Man", "Remember Me", "The Wounded", "Time's Arrow, Part II", "Rightful Heir", "All Good Things..."; DS9: "Progress", "The Homecoming", "Invasive Procedures", "Melora", "Crossfire", "Penumbra"; VOY: "The Killing Game"

"Beck and call"

• TOS: "The Man Trap"; DS9: "Far Beyond the Stars"; VOY: "Darkling"

"Black and white"

"Cat and mouse"

"Here and there"

• ENT: "Horizon"; TOS: "The Deadly Years", TAS: "One of Our Planets Is Missing", Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home; TNG: "Time Squared", "Cost Of Living"; DS9: "Rules of Engagement", "Ferengi Love Songs"; VOY: "Fair Trade"

"Hide and seek"

"High and low"

• DS9: "If Wishes Were Horses"

"Hook, line, and sinker"

• ENT: "Shockwave"; VOY: "Dark Frontier"

"Ladies and gentlemen"

• ENT: "Silent Enemy"; TOS: "A Taste of Armageddon", "Bread and Circuses", Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, Star Trek Generations; TNG: "Haven", "The Outrageous Okona", "The Price", "Qpid", "Time's Arrow, Part II", "Second Chances", "Emergence"; DS9: "Q-Less", "Second Sight", "Rivals", "Meridian", "Shakaar", "Facets", "Rejoined", "The Muse", "Body Parts", "His Way", "Field of Fire", "Badda-Bing, Badda-Bang", "What You Leave Behind"; VOY: "Non Sequitur", "Investigations", "Timeless", "Someone to Watch Over Me", "Barge of the Dead", "Tinker Tenor Doctor Spy", "Muse", "Endgame"

"Ladies and gentlemen, and all androgynous creatures"

• DS9: "If Wishes Were Horses"

"Ladies and gentlemen, and invited transgendered species"

• Star Trek Nemesis

"Lock, stock, and barrel"

• TNG: "The Royale"

"Now and again"

• TNG: "Deja Q", "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II"; DS9: "Destiny"; VOY: "Death Wish", "Year of Hell"

"Now and then"

• TOS: "Arena", et al.

"Rock and roll"

"To and fro"

• DS9: "The Ascent"; VOY: "Future's End, Part II"

"Trial and error"

• TOS: "Bread and Circuses"

"Ups and downs"

• DS9: "Change of Heart"

Metonym

A metonym was a type of metaphor, that rather than drawing a similarity between two things, drew contiguity (direct contact) between two things.

"Bed"

In terms of "to share a bed" with someone for sexual purposes. (DS9: "Soldiers of the Empire", "You Are Cordially Invited", "Wrongs Darker Than Death or Night", "Covenant", "Strange Bedfellows", "When It Rains...", "What You Leave Behind")

"Brass"

See: Brass

"China"

In terms of "fine china", a type of porcelain dishware originating from China. (VOY: "Real Life")

"Ears"

To give full attention to something.

• Gillian Taylor told James T. Kirk that "I'm all ears", when he offered to tell her the truth behind his intentions with George and Gracie. (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home)
• When William T. Riker wished to ask Kazago a question, the Ferengi responded, "As you Humans say, "I'm all ears."" (TNG: "The Battle")
• Further... DS9: "Profit and Lace"; VOY: "One Small Step", "Pathfinder"; ENT: "The Andorian Incident", "Countdown"

"Gun"

As in a hired gun. (TNG: "The Price")

"Hand"

To offer help, as in "to give someone a hand."

• TOS: "Dagger of the Mind", "The Galileo Seven", "Arena", "Friday's Child", etc.

"Houston"

A city in Texas on Earth that was used to refer to NASA's Mission Control Center. (VOY: "One Small Step")

"New blood"

• TOS: "The Gamesters of Triskelion", "The Mark of Gideon"

"Pint"

When used in context, a term to describe an alcoholic beverage that was often served in a pint-sized glass.

"Sweat"

Hard work (TOS: "A Piece of the Action"; TNG: "The Ensigns of Command"; VOY: "The Killing Game", "Demon")

"Tongue"

A language or dialect. (TNG: "Contagion"; DS9: "If Wishes Were Horses"; VOY: "Dragon's Teeth")

"Washington"

When used in context, a reference the United States government, which was located in Washington, DC. (ENT: "Storm Front"; Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home; VOY: "The 37's")

"Watergate"

See: Watergate

Appendices

Background information

According to the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion, p. ?, DS9 is often referred to as the black sheep of the Star Trek family for a variety of reasons, chiefly the stark contrast in setting (a space station as opposed to a starship) and rich plot development (as opposed to self-contained episodes, cf. alien of the week).

Several episode titles are based on various figures of speech and sayings:

• TOS:
  • "Bread and Circuses"
• TAS:
  • "How Sharper Than a Serpent's Tooth"
• TNG:
  • "Loud As A Whisper"
  • "All Good Things..."
• DS9:
  • "Playing God"
  • "Heart of Stone"
  • "When It Rains..."
  • "Tacking Into the Wind"

External links

• Literal and figurative language at Wikipedia
  • Figure of speech at Wikipedia