Proverb and Methonym

A proverb is a short statement usually known by many people. It states something that is common experience or gives advice. Here are some examples;

-        The best things in life are free.
 We don't have to pay for the things that are really valuable, like love,  friendship and good health.

-        A stitch in time saves nine.
Repair something as soon as it is damaged. That's a small repair job. If not, you will have a much bigger and more expensive repair job later. 

-        Where there's a will there's a way.
 If we have the determination to do something, we can always find the path or  method to do it.

-        Marry in haste, and repent at leisure.
If we get married quickly, without thinking carefully, we may be sorry later.  And we will have plenty of time to be sorry.

Metonymy

A phrase P is a metonymic reference to an object X if   wP refers to some object Y (in P’sliteral reading)   wY has a salient connection to X in the given context

Example: The White House said...

· “White House” metonymically refers to the

U.S. government. Salient connection:place -> people located at place

Conventional metonymies :

• Part for whole                                           • Producer for product

• Controller for controlled                           • Institution for people responsible

• Place for event                                           • Place for institution

• Object used for user                                   • Container for  contents

Examples:

• The White House said…

• I’m parked out back.

• The pen is mightier than the sword.

• The ham sandwich is getting angry





References:
http://www.coli.uni-saarland.de/courses/semantics-05/lectures/lect14.pdf
http://www.englishclub.com/reading/proverbs-meaning.ht
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RBGo8rSQbs#action=share