Metaphor as a very popular means of stylistic expression is discussed and related problems are addressed: analogy as a mechanism for metaphor formation, the relationship between metonymy/simile/comparison and metaphor, catachresis as a shortened metaphor, the appellativization and onomasticization of metaphors (their functioning as common and proper names), and the privileged status of metaphor among figures of speech. (Copyright 1994, Sociological Abstracts, Inc., all rights reserved.) (Z. Dubiel in LLBA 1994, vol. 28, n. 3)