Figures of Speech

A few weeks ago, I used the figure of speech "raises a lot of red flags." It was greeted with odd looks, one of disgust and the other of agitation. Possibly, both responses were the same, just coming from different expressions, but there was no verbal acceptance or rejection made. I assumed, as I would assume with anyone, this was fully understood, but then it dawned on me that metaphors, even the most common figures of speech, may be lost on many. Working with kids has made me very aware that most less-equipped or formed minds take speech, even with physical cues firmly attached, quite literally. It's something I know I have to control with kids, as not to offend, or lose them, but with adults, I give the benefit of the doubt when it comes to general conversation. As I'm finding out, there are many more external factors to take into consideration, when assuming and, of course, there's even a figure of speech of assuming.

General knowledge, education, and cognitive abilities are all the obvious factors, but I have realized recently, due to multiple circumstances, that many people are affected by three major factors which have little to do with cerebral abilities. One may be by distraction from an outside stimulus that the holder deems more important. Another is that the person may be distracted by their own dissonance, in which, their accepting or even comprehending your comment would put them into further inner turmoil, having to fight reality versus their preconceived and desired thoughts. Lastly, they may simply not care what you have to say. Interestingly enough, I find that most people, love to tell you things, especially opinions, but rarely care to even let you finish, when you question their words or actions. Intelligence plays highly into this, with those on the lower end, internally confusing their indifference with superiority.

I also find that so many use figures of speech incorrectly, or in direct contrast to who they are. This ties into other posts I've written in which people think simply being mean is high-level sarcasm or irony. These are also usually the people who say Karma is a bitch, not fully understanding what the phrase means and what it is taken from. It's a modern day play on payback being a bitch, for people that think karma is some sort of retribution or revenge. Karma could be a bitch if viewed in the spiritual sense of having to make a decision to do something that would create dharma. If one were to choose wrongly, adharma is created, as would be the case if one were to do nothing. Karma, in itself, is not a singular action, as is payback, thus the phrase in its normal English usage is not only foolish but has no real literal meaning. Yes, this is nitpicking, and I am sure causing some to eye roll but understand how I feel when someone does not understand something that is used properly and has a more obvious meaning.

I'll stop because thinking about this is driving me mad.
You can decide if I mean this literally or figuratively.