29 Jun 99 - 04:39 PM (#90775) Subject: The bark and the tree - expression From: Jon W. There is a line in a song by Triona Ni Dhombnaill (sp?) that goes "Just as the bark is strong, and welded to the tree/Closer we grow each day..." I have also heard a song by Altan that uses a similar metaphor for lovers. Lastly, I just read "between the bark and the tree" as a metaphor (or is it a simile?) of being in a tight spot, attributed a former Cajun Louisiana congressman, Ed Willis. Can anyone share other trad lyrics, folk stories or anything else that will shed light on this expression and its origins? |
29 Jun 99 - 05:01 PM (#90787) Subject: RE: The bark and the tree - expression From: Allan C. The second paragraph of the previous posting got lost somehow: The other metaphor confuses me a bit. The cambium layer, which lies between the outer bark and the rest of the tree supplies the "life's blood" to the tree. I will consult a couple of pretty good resource books I have to see if I can find an explanation which fits the context you cite. |
29 Jun 99 - 05:08 PM (#90789) Subject: RE: The bark and the tree - expression From: gargoyle If the expression states things are similar using "like" or "as" then: it is a similie. If the expression does not use them, i.e. says something "is" something else then it is a metaphor. If the expression compares i.e. says something is to something else, as so and so, is to such and such, then: it is an analogy. An extended (long) metaphor is an allegory. |
30 Jun 99 - 07:42 AM (#90977) Subject: RE: The bark and the tree - expression From: Allan C. Gargoyle, you are absolutely correct. I think I my brain must have switched into "standby". Thanks for setting me straight. Jon W., I came up empty after searching my resources. However it was not for nothing. I learned that "barking at a knot" is a cowman's way of referring to the impossible. Some further thought came up with the notion that the " former Cajun Louisiana congressman"'s expression may have been more figurative than it would first appear. If one were a raccoon which had been tree'd by a pack of dogs, one might be said to be between the bark(s) and the tree. That would be a tight situation to be in. |
30 Jun 99 - 08:01 AM (#90981) Subject: RE: The bark and the tree - expression From: Roger in Baltimore It seems to me that there is little space between the bark and the tree and so it is a tight spot. Allan C., I think you're "barking up the wrong tree" with your explanation. When I saw the thread title I thought that was the phrase the poster was going to ask about. That comes from dogs chasing racoons for sure. Big RiB |
30 Jun 99 - 08:12 AM (#90986) Subject: RE: The bark and the tree - expression From: Allan C. Gosh, Roger, you take all the fun out of it when you point out the obvious (and probably most accurate) answer;-) |