The year leading up to the 2012 plebiscite on Puerto Rico's political status concurred with a project proposal to ‘secure’ bilingualism via English instruction in the schools. The close link between the Island's political status and language issues was underlined not only in the Island's news media but also in the US presidential campaign speeches during which candidates revealed their views. This article examines metaphors on language in Puerto Rico. It shows that debates on language as linked to status in Puerto Rico retain some well-known metaphors, like those based on el engañol or el cuco, but that other, third-way metaphorical expressions are also employed to elucidate and shape the dispute.