What is a body-as-container-for-emotions metaphor?

What is a body-as-container-for-emotions metaphor?

Definition
	A conventional metaphor in which the body is represented as a container for the emotions, such that the emotions occupy a certain level, can overflow, and can be gotten rid of.

Examples
	Here are some examples in English:
	He was filled with anger. She couldn't contain her joy. She was brimming with rage. Try to get your anger out of your system..

Generic
	A body-as-container-for-emotions metaphor is a kind of
	What is a metaphor for emotion in general?

Source
	Lakoff, G. 1987

Context for this page:

Concept module: body-as-container-for-emotions metaphor
In modular book: Metaphors in English, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H. Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
In bookshelf: Lexicon

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 4.0, published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 1999. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 18 September 1998