Words rarely used metaphorically.

[Pappa]

I just realise that I don't think I've ever heard/read the word "spoor" used metaphorically, which is a shame. It'd be an excellent word to use to describe the things people leave in their trail, like things they've written or effects they've had on others.

[mistermack]

I just realise that I don't think I've ever heard/read the word "spoor" used metaphorically, which is a shame. It'd be an excellent word to use to describe the things people leave in their trail, like things they've written or effects they've had on others.

I think that the word "spoor" is normally used in the specific context of tracking animals. So unless you're a private eye, or a stalker, it's not likely to apply.

[Xamonas Chegwé]

"Metaphor"

Something I now intend to remedy.


"He fell flat on his face like a bad metaphor told by someone that couldn't tell a metaphor from a simile."


I thank you.

[Rum]

It makes me simile whenever I hear a metaphor used as a smile.

[Pappa]

I just realise that I don't think I've ever heard/read the word "spoor" used metaphorically, which is a shame. It'd be an excellent word to use to describe the things people leave in their trail, like things they've written or effects they've had on others.

I think that the word "spoor" is normally used in the specific context of tracking animals. So unless you're a private eye, or a stalker, it's not likely to apply.

But it refers to the stuff left behind. Footprints, shit, marks on trees... it has excellent metaphorical potential.

[Robert_S]

One of the best song limes ever:

"So we hit it off, me and this dancer
We hit it off like a metaphor
Like a metaphor for a hydrogen bomb"

Ray Wylie Hubbard -Mother Blues
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r92RkIKm6Wc

[Jason]

He left a trail in his wake like a spoor of metaphorical literary devices.

[mistermack]

I still don't think it's spoor, unless someone is following it.

You don't get people saying, " look, you just stepped in some spoor ! " . It's only spoor, if someone is using it to follow an animal.

Which actually makes the OP correct.
If spoor DID mean the things that people leave in their wake, then using it in that context WOULDN'T be metaphorical at all.

If you say someone is a giant, in the field of painting, it's a metaphor.
But it's not, if he ACTUALLY IS a giant.

[Pappa]

I still don't think it's spoor, unless someone is following it.

Is that like the tree falling in the forest with nobody to hear it? I don't think the following bit is relevant to the definition.

"Spoor is any sign of a creature or trace by which the progress of someone or something may be followed. A spoor may include tracks, scents, scat, or broken foliage. Spoor is useful for discovering or surveying what types of animals live in an area, or in animal tracking."

[Rum]

I don't think I have ever seen the word 'metaphorically' used metaphorically.

[mistermack]

I still don't think it's spoor, unless someone is following it.

Is that like the tree falling in the forest with nobody to hear it? I don't think the following bit is relevant to the definition.

"Spoor is any sign of a creature or trace by which the progress of someone or something may be followed. A spoor may include tracks, scents, scat, or broken foliage. Spoor is useful for discovering or surveying what types of animals live in an area, or in animal tracking."

I agree, you're right, if that's the definition, that following isn't essential for the signs to be considered spoor.
Although deducing what animals are in the area would probably involve creating some sort of mental picture of their movements.
( assuming the animal isn't still sitting there ).
So it depends what you mean by following. Does following just mean following something all the way, till you catch it, or does it include following a trail a few metres, enough to say that such-and-such passed this way.

I think from the definition, a turd on it's own would be considered spoor. So following isn't ESSENTIAL for something to be spoor.
But following has to be relevant to the definition, because it's actually IN the definition.

Of course, that means that using spoor in the context of the OP wouldn't be a metaphor, because it would be a correct straightforward use of the word.

[mistermack]

I don't think I have ever seen the word 'metaphorically' used metaphorically.

Nor me, I give up on that one.

I've heard the word sexy used sexily, and the word stupid, used stupidly. Even the word moronic, used moronically.
That was probably me.
Although, ironically, I just used the word moronically, metaphorically.

[Xamonas Chegwé]

I don't think I have ever seen the word 'metaphorically' used metaphorically.

L8

[Jason]

Her eyes sparkled in the pale moonlight like a metaphor.

[Hermit]

Her eyes sparkled in the pale moonlight like a metaphor.

That's a simile.