Really turning on the metaphorical sixpence


Some copy recently submitted to the subs' desk contained a sentence that has been messing with my head:

You really can turn this vehicle on the metaphorical sixpence

As opposed to what, being able to metaphorically turn it on the metaphorical sixpence? But isn't that what the writer actually means? After all, you can't literally turn the vehicle on either a literal or a metaphorical sixpence. Surely?

I think I have been subbing too hard today.

2 comments:

TootsNYC said...

So there *is* a metaphorical sixpence, much as we have our metaphorical dime?


And yes, you can't be both literal and metaphorical in the same instance.

Gez said...

I think one might figuratively turn on the proverbial sixpence.