A Metaphorical Litany ?

This blog has often warned of the dangers, especially to those who speak or write publicly, of misunderstanding 'long' words.

The same might be said of metaphors. Metaphors liven up our language wonderfully - so long as their original significance is recognised. 'Skating on thin ice' is obvious enough; but what about 'sailing close to the wind' ? If we want use this kind of 'specialist' metaphor, then it's best to know just what the original meaning was.

So when a journalist wrote a few months ago of the troubles experienced by those working on the improvement and development of the Hospital at Cromer, in Norfolk, that they had experienced 'a whole litany of setbacks', had he (or she) any idea what that metaphor implies ?

Our English term 'litany' literally means a formulaic religious prayer, one that was (or is) repeated word for word to ensure in particular that no sins are omitted from the list of offences for which one is asking for forgiveness. Rather than try to remember all one's sins in a home-made prayer, it seems best to add one's personal signature, as it were, to the official list.

The church's word 'litany' is derived from the old Greek word lite (two syllables pronounced 'lit-ee') meaning a prayer.

True, the term implied an official list: but to speak or write of 'a whole litany' of setbacks' is to miss the whole significance of the word - the journalist was just seeking a fancy way of indicating that there were a whole lot of setbacks. The metaphor was being stretched beyond any intelligent comparison: but imaginative and appropriate comparison is what metaphors should be about; otherwise they die.

A Metaphorical Litany ?