Iron (metaphor)

Iron (metaphor)

Iron, when used metaphorically, refers to certain traits of the metal iron. Used as an adjective and sometimes as a noun, it refers to something stern, harsh, unyielding, inflexible, rigid, sturdy, strong, robust. It is sometimes used for something technological ("iron lung") or not technologically advanced ("iron bomb").

List of iron metaphors

This list is categorized superficially, rather than by the actual meanings of the expressions, to stress the metaphorical usage.

Persons and characters

*The name Timur, meaning "iron" in Turkic languages, has been a widespread name in Western and Central Asia since the days of the Mongol Empire.
*Iron Lady
*Iron Queen
*Iron Chancellor
*Iron Duke
*Iron Felix
*Iron Man
*Iron John
*Iron Mike
*Iron Sheik
*Iron Heroes
*Iron Eyes Cody, an actor.
*Iron Shell, a Brule Sioux chief.
*Iron Tail, an Oglala Sioux warrior.
*Iron Eye, an Omaha chief
*Iron Kid
*Iron Lad
*Iron Fan Princess
*Iron Maniac
*Iron Chef
*Iron Tail

Animals and plants

*Iron Monkey
*Iron Wolf
*Iron Bird
*Iron condor
*Iron Eagle
*Iron Butterfly
*Iron Dragon
*Iron cobra
*Iron Horse
*Iron Kong
*Iron bamboo
*Ironwood

Body parts

*Iron Eye
*Iron Fist
*Iron Hands
*Iron Heel
*Iron Knuckle
*Iron lung
*Iron Palm

Geography

*Iron Cities
*Iron Mountains
*Iron Range
*Iron Rivers

Other iron metaphors

*Iron bomb
*Iron Brigade
*Iron cage
*Iron Curtain
*Iron Fire
*Iron Guard
*Iron harvest
*Iron Helix
*Iron Seed
*Iron Shirt
*Iron Sunrise
*Iron Triangle
*Iron Will

Iron gallery

ee also

*Iron (disambiguation)
*Big Iron
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special%3APrefixindex&from=iron&namespace=0 Wikipedia articles starting with the word "Iron"]

References

*"Random House Unabridged Dictionary"
*"The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms"
* Theodore Wertime and James Muhly, eds., "The Coming of the Age of Iron" (Yale, 1980, ISBN 0-300-02425-8 (hardcover))
* [http://sdrc.lib.uiowa.edu/ceras/iron/ "Iron, Master of Them All"] , University of Iowa Museum of Art and PASALA - Project for the Advanced Study of Art and Life in Africa. The article discusses various metaphors associated with iron in African cultures.
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_report/1999/02/99/e-cyclopedia/506459.stm "Iron: The man in the mask"] , a "BBC News" article (6 November, 1999)


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