Germanic Influences in Old English

Abstract

Metaphors can come one day and be gone the next. At the same time, we have seen that some metaphors may last for thousands of years such as the LIFE IS A JOURNEY model in Western society. Duration therefore varies enormously and it is difficult to categorise which metaphors are likely to last. At first sight, it may be assumed that long-lasting metaphors are similar to the types of universal features of basic concepts. This is very often true but it will be seen here that some do not necessarily last for ever, at least, not in their active stage.