Metaphor for Naming Elephants in UK

[Vliex, Carla (cvl)]

hi Esther
 
one thing more we all have in common, the issue's we always try to avoid. Some metaphors we use in holland:
- the skeleton in the cupboard (in dutch; het lijk in de kast) 
-  moving aroud the hot porridge (in dutch om de hete brij heen draaien) 
 
I am curious like you about other metaphors 
 

Met vriendelijke groet, 

drs. Carla Vliex 

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-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU]On Behalf Of Esther Ewing
Sent: donderdag 24 maart 2005 01:52
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Metaphor for Naming Elephants in UK



Hi all:
I would like to specifically address my question to those OS members in UK or anywhere else  or to anyone who knows the answer to my question.
 
In Canada many of us OS folks have used the metaphor of the Dead Moose to signify the sticky tough issue that no one wants to discuss, that everyone knows is there and which is blocking creativity and progress. And that people discuss anyway privately.
 
Sue Hammond and her colleague Andrea Mayfield have published a brilliant book called The Thin Book of Naming Elephants - Discussing the Undiscussibles  ( www.thinbookpublishing.com) and if you haven't seen it or read it, you should - it's brilliant.
 
Naming Elephants is a metaphor that seems easily understood and recognized in the US (and indeed in Canada). However, in some discussions with clients in the UK, it has had to be explained.
 
Does anyone know what the equivalent metaphor might be in UK?  This would help me market my services to my UK clients. 
 
And for fun,  I would be curious to know what the equivalent metaphor would be in other parts of Europe or the rest of the world (translated literally into English). For example, is it un chat mort (a dead cat) or something else in German or Danish or Swedish etc. What do you say in Australia for example? Or New Zealand? Or Scotland?
 
Esther Ewing
The Change Alliance
330 East 38th St., Suite 53K
New York, NY 10016, USA
Telephone: 212-661-6024, Fax: 866-296-6712

Assisting organizations to build capability
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