Re: "Owning" roles.

Pat listed some expressions that some people might find "offensive":

>'Colo(u)red people'
'My old lady'
'Final solution'
'Orientals'
'This really sucks'

I can easily see that each of these phrases might offend. Anybody
actually offended by metaphorical use of "to own" is determined to be
offended at all costs. The simple truth stated literally offends some
people. That's not a sufficient reason to refrain from using it,
although there are times when it is better to lie: we call lies told
to avoid hurting feelings "white lies."

But this isn't really about the "offensiveness" of our poor little
metaphor. The objection that's raised to this metaphor is the kind of
objection that arises every time somebody happens to notice that a
figurative statement is not literally true. Of course it isn't.
Moreover, the supposed offensiveness of the metaphor is not inherent in
the metaphor but in the concept conveyed by using it. The
"offense"--what hyperbole!--would not be removed by discarding the
metaphor and replacing it with a statement or question employing an
elaborate literal description meaning the same thing. Not unless you
laboriously listed all of the implicit qualifiers I listed. Normally
in everyday speech qualifiers of this kind remain implicit in the
context of the statement. We are not obliged to make formal proofs
every time we talk.

You seem to be afraid that hyperbolic critical statements made in the
course of casual conversation or internet discussions are a threat to
the national security or world peace. I find your objections a threat
to figurative language based on an anxiety about the reality of usage.
I needn't fear such objections. Figurative usage isn't ever going to
go away. (The really offensive usage in my post was the description of
a performer "knocking you out." The singer who literally knocks you
out is guilty of assault. Of course, that's the point of the metaphor:
the singer has metaphorically altered your state of mind, wrapping you
up in an experience so impressive you forget yourself. We don't object
to being bowled over even if it's a fate normally reserved for bowling
pins.)

-david gable

.