Public Speaking Metaphors Making Waves

Public speaking metaphors are certainly in the news right now with a vengeance. and that's probably something to do with all the economic news we're being presented with. Because there's more than an associative link between economy speeches and the number of metaphors involved.

Why is that? Well, it's probably that the public speaking metaphor is ideally placed for a speaker to disseminate economic news, opinion, and analysis. So these last two weeks we've heard a lot about the 'black hole' in the nation's public accounts. That's according to the current Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves. Of course when you describe a 2% shortfall in the accounts as a black hole, you'll always get people's attention. Job done.

Still, it's a welcome thing to comment upon. Because the last few efforts from the former Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt were woeful. In his last Budget speech we heard about 'economic headwinds'. But that was it.

Yet despite the most challenging economic headwinds in modern history…

But, with matters economy to the fore, we should get used to these metaphorical references once again.

Another predecessor, George Osborne, was always fond of a good metaphor in his speeches as Chancellor. So fond, indeed, that they came to characterise his many speeches.

However, you don't need to be either an economist or the Chancellor of the Exchequer to use a solid public speaking metaphor.

Certainly the speech of the MI5 Director General, Ken McCallum, who spoke at the spy headquarters at Thames House, London in 2022 was a fine example.

Russia thinks nothing of throwing an elbow in the face, and routinely cheats to get its way.  We’ve had success in getting some of their players sent off, and for now they’re a bit distracted by the blame game in their own dressing-room, but they will keep attacking us.

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