The Onion: A Problematic Metaphor

So the first thing that is problematic here, is an onion is usually used as a simile. A person claims he is LIKE an onion. Not that he IS an onion. But semantics aside, let's look at what this poor loon is trying to say.





I'm complicated. Layered. Like an onion. You keep having to peel back layers to understand me. I'm really very deep.





Well okay, my mistaken friend. Here is the deal. While the onion SKIN is different (because it is exposed to the dirt it grows in and then the air and elements, the other LAYERS of the darned onion are just like the layer before but a wee bit smaller. Unless of course you hit rot... that is a possible surprise. Not a good surprise, but at least unexpected... Otherwise when you peel back, you are just getting more of the same. Not that it's bad. I like onions. But they just are NOT that complicated.



So if you are NOT trying to claim that you might be secretly rotten deep down, probably avoid the onion metaphor.





In Other News



No, never mind. I don't have any other news. I DO have a reminder though... if you are in or near Ann Arbor and are interested in professional feedback on your first twenty pages during the Kerrytown Bookfest, check THIS out.