On the Origin of Metaphors

Abstract

In this article I study the genesis of metaphors from an evolutionary perspective. Analyzing 414 cartoons published after the death of the cartoonists of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, I propose a metaphoric founder effect with the metaphors “PENCIL IS A WEAPON,” “PENCIL IS A CARTOONIST,” and “PENCIL IS FREEDOM,” and a subsequent metaphor drift that creates many related metaphors. Additionally, the success of these metaphors turns the pencil meme into a very efficient and fast-spreading item representing not only the work of cartoonists, but also the fundamental values of Western culture, such as freedom of expression.

Notes

¹ The sentence “The pen is mightier than the sword” (if not the idea, which had been expressed in various earlier forms) was coined by the English author Edward Bulwer-Lytton in 1839 for his play Richelieu; Or the Conspiracy.