catachresis background

catachresis

/ˌkæt.əˈkɹiː.sɪs/

Illustration catachresis - Image 1

noun

Catacresis, uso incorrecto de una palabra

A misuse of a word; an application of a term to something which it does not properly denote.

Examples :

"Using "impact" as a verb to mean "affect" is often considered a catachresis by traditional grammarians, even though it's very common now. "

Usar "impacto" como verbo para significar "afectar" es a menudo considerado una catacresis por los gramáticos tradicionales, aunque ahora es muy común.

language linguistics grammar word

Illustration catachresis - Image 1

noun

Catacresis, uso incorrecto

A misapplication or overextension of figurative or analogical description; a wrongly-applied metaphor or trope.

Examples :

"Saying "I'm drowning in paperwork" is a catachresis because you aren't literally drowning, but rather overusing the metaphor of drowning to describe being overwhelmed. "

Decir "Me estoy ahogando en papeleo" es una catacresis porque no te estás ahogando literalmente, sino que estás usando en exceso la metáfora de ahogarse para describir estar abrumado.

language literature writing communication style grammar word linguistics