Russell Samora performed an analysis on 200,000 works to find how common or unique a comparison was. The article presents an amusing and engaging read, providing charts and illustrations.
Most adjectives’ shape have a similar skewed distribution, with some key distinctions:
- Gentler slopes tell us there are no dominant idioms.
- Many have a couple go-to nouns, then a long tail.
- The clichés are obvious, marked by a single tall spike that overshadows the others.
While some writers reach for a novel comparison to make it their own, most just want one that’s reliable and accessible.