On page 11, I name the technical figures to prove I have "serious scholarly backup." The police metaphor seemed mildly funny when I wrote it. I could have used another metaphor--"literary chops," for instance. (Chops has an interesting tropical history. It comes from "choppers," for the mouth and jaw, and refers to a trumpeter's embouchure--his lips and mouth muscles. You need the right chops to play the trumpet.)
Try to come up with a few other metaphors for "ability." Hold them ready for when the subject comes up in a future conversation.
Word Hero Chapter One
On page 11, I name the technical figures to prove I have "serious scholarly backup." The police metaphor seemed mildly funny when I wrote it. I could have used another metaphor--"literary chops," for instance. (Chops has an interesting tropical history. It comes from "choppers," for the mouth and jaw, and refers to a trumpeter's embouchure--his lips and mouth muscles. You need the right chops to play the trumpet.)
Try to come up with a few other metaphors for "ability." Hold them ready for when the subject comes up in a future conversation.