erastes

Dear authors, editors and publishers.

Free REIN.

do you know WHY it’s called that? Do ya? It’s a sports metaphor. There are thousands of these, some of which you probably won’t even recognise as one. Phrases such as “not by a long chalk” “throwing in the towel” “on the ropes” “out of left field” “stumped”

But Free Rein is one I see abused most often. I’ve seen.

Full rein

free reign

free rain

full reign

No no no no no no no. NO!!!!

It’s a riding metaphor. More accurately it’s a dressage metaphor.

this is NOT free rein

this is

To really push the analogy,it's nothing to do with "letting someone do what they like" - when you give your horse a free rein, you aren't letting him so what he likes, but you are still in control, but letting him stretch his neck while still being engaged and active. Same with whatever speed you are doing, you can give a horse a free rein while galloping, but it never means you are out of control. Yes, that's far more than you needed to know.

That is all. *flicks you with ruler*

GET IT RIGHT.

Love, Erastes The Irritable.

- - - - -