Being a nurse, of course I associate the word "metastasize" with cancer. While I know it has a broader meaning, I've only heard it used with cancer. I was surprised to read this in the Tribune this morning (talking about our recent 19 inches of snow):

quote:

Mayor Rahm Emanuel turned his attention to plowing residential streets Monday as he tried to head off the frustration that can metastasize into political problems for a mayor if Chicagoans are dissatisfied with his handling of a big snowfall just weeks before an election.

Do you see it used like this?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kalleh,

Only rarely but I can't remember where or in what context. Like you, cancer is the first thing that comes to my mind.

It's an allegorical usage: something small that grows and spreads into something widespread and troublesome, not to say dire. So even in this context it's being used in the cancer-ssociated sense. (Which may or may not be appropriate...)

It also refers to 2 sounds switching places, like "aks" for "ask" or Spanish "milagro" (miracle)

Not sure what you mean, goofy.

Metathesis, perhaps? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M...is_%28linguistics%29

They're different words. I never realized that before.

I see from wiki that 'Metástasis' was the chosen Spanish name for the series 'Breaking Bad'. Nicely chosen.

I find these other definitions at dictionary.com:
Rhetoric: a rapid transition, as from one subject to another.
Physics: a change in position or orbit of an elementary particle.
(3rd meaning of 'transformation'): change in form, appearance, nature, or character.
I have never heard or read these usages secondary to the medical definition. I speculate that any current mainstream use, if not directly referring to the medical meaning, would carry the metaphorical. meaning, i.e., ominous growth.

Ah, makes sense. Thanks, Geoff.