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By Oxford English Dictionary literal definition, not all lubricants are fluids. Etiquette is a mere lubricant of the order of society. OED entry "lubricant
by defrost 3mo ago
By Oxford English Dictionary literal definition, not all lubricants are fluids.
Etiquette is a mere lubricant of the order of society.
OED entry "lubricant" (B.noun)
Fine music‥has a sensible effect in‥animating and as it were, lubricating my inventive faculty.
OED entry "lubricate" (2.a verb)
Lube also used for cash - greasing palms, etc.
- throwaway27448 3mo agoUsing the a non-lube to lubricate is still metaphorical. But, I just ignore the word literally and english still works just fine
- defrost 3mo agoIgnoring literally is A-Ok in my book (and forum comments) but I would point out that a "non lube" used to ease a transition, smooth an action, or remove friction is <cough>literally</cough> a lubricant (by definition and hundreds of years of common usage).