An example of metaphor in science writing
"This non-rigid reference-body, which might appropriately be termed a 'reference-mollusc', is the main equivalent to a Gaussian four-dimensional co-ordinate system chosen arbitrarily. … The general principle of relativity requires that all these molluscs can be used as reference-bodies with equal right and equal success in the formulation of the general laws of nature; the laws themselves must be quite independent of the choice of mollusc."
Einstein, A. (2004). Relativity. The special and the general theory. (R. W. Lawson, Trans.). The Folio Society. (1916)
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Many examples of science metaphors are listed in 'Creative comparisons: Making science familiar through language. An illustrative catalogue of figurative comparisons and analogies for science concepts'. Free Download.
In introducing an edition of Einstein's work, Roger Penrose see this as an analogy:
"He is perhaps at his most awkward (and even repetitive) when describing the roles of coordinate systems and frames of reference, using the curious and confusing analogy of a mollusc (or 'reference mollusc' – his German word being Bezugsmolluske), indicating that he apparently thought of a coordinate system as a physical thing, swimming around like some soft marine invertebrate which could change its shape with time."
Roger Penrose (Introduction to 'Relativity. The special and the general theory')
Read examples of scientific analogies
Many examples of science analogies are listed in 'Creative comparisons: Making science familiar through language. An illustrative catalogue of figurative comparisons and analogies for science concepts'. Free Download.
