I draw it on a pad of paper instead. I don't analogize it to plates or envelopes on a shelf. Simply saying, "there is memory in the computer, it's like this...

I draw it on a pad of paper instead. I don't analogize it to plates or envelopes on a shelf. Simply saying, "there is memory in the computer, it's like this..." and draw rectangles of memory on a piece of paper. Then I demonstrate the push and pop actions as they pertain to items in memory. You're not wrong, you need a metaphor. Heck, even "items" in "memory" is a metaphor. It's all just digital circuitry, there are no real "items" or "memory", those are analogous, made up words. But it helps. It helps because it's considered respectful to them in that particular scenario. Something about taking the time to grab that pad of paper, using the technical computer sounding words, etc. All of that demonstrates respect for their intelligence. That's what they want to see and it opens them up to wanting to listen to me explain it. Ultimately, people want to be seen and respected for who they are and their preferences. Communicating is often more about that than getting the point across.