What is an analogy?

An analogy is a fancy way of explaining something confusing by comparing it to something you already know! It’s like a little bridge between two ideas.

Imagine you’re trying to explain what a bicycle is to someone who’s never seen one. You could say, “A bicycle is like a horse, but with wheels instead of legs, and you pedal it to move forward.” This helps them understand the basic idea by comparing it to something familiar.

EtymologyEtymology is the study of the origin and history of words. It’s like detective work, tracing how words have changed over time and moved between languages. Think of it like this: • Words have a long history, just like old family stories. • Etymology digs into those stories to see… Read More (Word OriginsWhat is an origin? An origin is the starting point, the place or source where something begins. It’s like the very first chapter in the story of that thing. Examples: • The origin of a river: Where the river first starts to flow, like from a spring or a melting… Read More)

“Analogy” comes from two ancient Greek words:
“Ana” – meaning “according to” or “in proportion to”
“Logos” – meaning “word” or “discourse”

So, literally, “analogy” translates to “according to the word” or “comparing with words.” It’s about using familiar words and ideas to explain something new.