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NicholasW NearsWeltanschauung Fall here means simply pass into a state. This sense might have been a gradual change from a different sense (I can't get to the OED to check), which is why I doubt whether it's a metaphor.
the OED has XI (11) general senses for to fall, of which I refer you to number VII. to pass suddenly, accidentally, or in the course of events, into a certain condition.
38. a. Of persons: To pass (usually, with suddenness) in, into, to some specified condition, bodily or mental, or some external condition or relation. e.g., fall into unhope, fall to sleep, "He was fallyn in prosperite" (Chaucer), fall to pieces, fell out of favor, fell into a rage
b. to fall in love: to become enamoured. Const. with. Also transf. to become very fond of, or devoted to.
"Would'st thou then counsaile me to fall in loue?" (WS)
but I digress. returning to the evolution of senses, we traverse from
I. to descend freely (opposed to rise)
II. to sink to a lower level (ditto)
III. to lose (suddenly) the erect position (opposed to stand)
IV. to move precipitately or with violence; to rush
V. to be determined to a specified position; to have a certain incidence
VI. to come casually, or without design or effort, into a certain position
VII. to pass suddenly, accidentally, or in the course of events, into a certain condition
so for VI we find senses such as:
35. Of persons. a. To come by chance into a certain position. Now chiefly in phrase (of biblical origin), to fall among (thieves, etc.).
OED:QED - no metaphor
http://home.mn.rr.com/wwftd/
Entire Thread Subject Posted By Posted Crushes Wordwind 03/13/02 12:51 PM Re: Crushes of troy 03/13/02 01:01 PM Re: Crushes Geoff 03/13/02 01:29 PM Re: Crushes Wordwind 03/13/02 01:37 PM Re: Crushes NicholasW 03/13/02 01:45 PM Re: Crushes wwh 03/13/02 02:04 PM Re: Crushes doc_comfort 03/14/02 06:35 AM Re: Crushes Geoff 03/14/02 02:24 PM Re: Crushes WhitmanO'Neill 03/14/02 02:46 PM youth wofahulicodoc 03/14/02 03:02 PM Re: Crushes Wordwind 03/15/02 01:14 PM falling modestgoddess 03/20/02 08:15 PM Re: falling wwh 03/20/02 08:36 PM Re: falling duncan large 03/20/02 09:21 PM Re: falling Rubrick 03/21/02 10:36 AM Re: falling Bean 03/21/02 03:48 PM Re: falling boronia 03/21/02 05:25 PM Re: falling Capital Kiwi 03/21/02 09:37 PM Re: falling pregnant TEd Remington 03/22/02 01:57 AM Re: falling pregnant wwh 03/22/02 02:12 AM Re: falling jmh 03/22/02 07:45 AM Re: falling boronia 03/22/02 01:34 PM Re: falling pregnant wow 03/22/02 02:39 PM knocking on heaven's door jmh 03/22/02 09:41 PM Re: falling Rubrick 03/25/02 09:56 AM Re: fairies jmh 03/25/02 10:39 AM Re: Crushes tsuwm 03/13/02 07:36 PM Re: Crushes wwh 03/13/02 08:05 PM Re: Crushes boronia 03/13/02 08:55 PM Re: Oscar Wilde on Love WhitmanO'Neill 03/13/02 10:07 PM Re: Oscar Wilde on Love wwh 03/13/02 10:17 PM Re: Crushes RhubarbCommando 03/13/02 02:18 PM Re: Crushes wwh 03/13/02 02:25 PM Re: Crushes boronia 03/13/02 02:31 PM Re: Crushes Faldage 03/13/02 02:36 PM a "Crush" is a "rush" with a C for Cupid plutarch 03/13/02 01:32 PM Re: Crushes of troy 03/13/02 02:33 PM Re: Crushes Sparteye 03/13/02 04:07 PM Re: Crushes WhitmanO'Neill 03/13/02 04:41 PM Re: Crushes of troy 03/13/02 05:10 PM Re: Crushes Geoff 03/13/02 05:38 PM Re: Crushes wwh 03/13/02 07:07 PM . Max Quordlepleen 03/13/02 07:26 PM Re: Crushes of troy 03/13/02 07:31 PM
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