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Joined: Mar 2001
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Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2001
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I understand the overt metaphor to be a carrot dangling from a stick, etc. In context, 'stick' is implicitly threatening, and carries with it a secondary metaphor which, since it is subordinated, is all the more ominous. I guess Churchill (see wwh) was just unpacking it. So thinks me.
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
Quinion (worldwidewords.com) implies stick is alternative to carrot: "The Labour method is to apply a stick to accompany the carrot; unemployed young people will not be able to avoid taking up one of the limited options on offer, one of which is to take a subsidised job with a private firm. "
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'stick' is implicitly threatening, and carries with it a secondary metaphor which, since it is subordinated, is all the more ominous
You don't need a stick to dangle a carrot, but a stick will make your point stick a little bit better.
Any donkey who has been around the block a few times has seen the same stick dangling the carrot, dangling over his ass.
If he's a smart ass, he will always choose the carrot.
It's like serving a head of lettuce on a platter. It won't improve your salad, but it might improve your manners.
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enthusiast
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enthusiast
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For what it's worth -- BelMarduk's description fits exactly with my understanding.
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BelMarduk's description fits exactly with my understandingAnd the donkey's too, I reckon. [Which is not to make a donkey out of you, but a sage out of the donkey. ]
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
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Carrot and stick reminded me of the story by Daudet about the young psychopath who got a job taking care of the Pope's mule at Avignon. He secretly teased it. The mule had to wait seven years before she got a chance to kick him, but when she did, she put him into orbit. So if you're tempted to use a stick or other wise abuse a mule, remember they have long memories. At least the Avignon one did.
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the Pope's mule at AvignonGive a mule a habit, and he is free to kick the abbot. Mules don't make a habit of wearing habits, but they might be better off if they did. When habits speak louder than words, habits are due for a change.
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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The Pope's mule was mulier, not homme. No nunnery for her. I've heard that in Napoleon's day, there was always a mule that was the sweetheart of the regiment. Sounds risky.
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there was always a mule that was the sweetheart of the regiment
Taking advantage of a mule is a mug's game, wwh.
You can mug a mule, but you'd better watch out for his feet.
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Dear Grapho: I don't know anything about the sex life of mules, nor about their gender. But attempting carnal knowledge of a male would be back to the Texan having sex with the grizzly.
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