--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: \"Terrorism\" is a metaphor, it's an…" description: "\"\"Terrorism\" is a metaphor, it's an abstract noun. It's like having a war on dandruff. It's something from advertising, it's meaningless.\" — Gore Vidal" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/085/gore-vidal-466_abstract_terrorism-is-a-metaphor-it-s-an-abstract_1389366.jpg" --- # "Terrorism" is a metaphor, it's an abstract noun. It's… ![“"Terrorism" is a metaphor, it's an abstract noun. It's like having a war on dandruff. It's something from advertising, it's meaningless.” quote by Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/085/gore-vidal-466_abstract_terrorism-is-a-metaphor-it-s-an-abstract_1389366.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/085/gore-vidal-466_abstract_terrorism-is-a-metaphor-it-s-an-abstract_1389366.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/085/gore-vidal-466_abstract_terrorism-is-a-metaphor-it-s-an-abstract_1389366.jpg) > “"Terrorism" is a metaphor, it's an abstract noun. It's like having a war on dandruff. It's something from advertising, it's meaningless.” [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Metaphorical language can trivialize serious concepts, reducing impact. **In simple terms:** Metaphors can trivialize serious concepts. Key Takeaway Use precise language for gravity. Themes language metaphor meaning Mood critical analytical Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - media analysis - public discourse - advertising critique Key Concepts communication theory political rhetoric Questions to Reflect On - When does metaphor help? - How to balance clarity and impact? A Different Perspective Metaphors may also clarify complex ideas. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abstract](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abstract/) [Abstract Noun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abstract-noun-2047398/) [Advertising](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advertising/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Meaningless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meaningless/) [Metaphor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/metaphor/) [Metaphor Abstract](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/metaphor-abstract-4836664/) [Nouns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nouns/) [Terrorism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terrorism/) [Terrorism Metaphor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terrorism-metaphor-4836663/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [What really alarms me about President Bush's 'War on Terrorism' is the grammar. How do you wage war on an abstract noun? 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You fight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-marcinko/when-you-fight-you-don-t-fight-for-abstract-values-like-the-flag-or/) [Richard Marcinko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-marcinko/) > [In the history of the concept of number has been adjective (three cows, three monads) and noun (three, pure and simple), and now ...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-mazur/in-the-history-of-the-concept-of-number-has-been-adjective-three-cows/) [Barry Mazur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-mazur/) > [I spent months searching for some secret code before I realized that common sense has nothing to do with it. 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Republicans are a bit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/there-is-only-one-party-in-the-united-states-the-property-party-and/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [Many people in the United States happen to believe that United States policy is wrong in Vietnam and the Vietcong are correct in wanting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/many-people-in-the-united-states-happen-to-believe-that-united-states/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [“It is curious how little interested we are in the sexual desires of those who do not attract us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/it-is-curious-how-little-interested-we-are-in-the-sexual-desires-of/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [This separation was absolute in our original Republic. But the sky-godders do not give up easily. 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Words are used to disguise, not to illuminate, action: you liberate a city by destroying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/as-societies-grow-decadent-the-language-grows-decadent-too-words-are/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [Rome ... at its most decadent, had never thought of hiring an actor to go through the motions of being an emperor while the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/rome-at-its-most-decadent-had-never-thought-of-hiring-an-actor-to-go/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [History is nothing but gossip about the past, with the hope that it might be true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/history-is-nothing-but-gossip-about-the-past-with-the-hope-that-it/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [The malady of civilized man is his knowledge of death. 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