which is Worst to be LABELED as: black SHEEP, white ELEPHANT, cry WOLF, proud LION, ugly DUCKLING, silly GOOSE

Question

on the Positive side, Can you give me a term(figurative or colloquial) using an animal that means WELL(good virtue or strength)?

Answer 1

I think it is the black sheep. All of the other epitaphs may subject you to derision, teasing, or ridicule, but only the label of "black sheep" brings with it the concept of being shunned. To be shunned by your family or peers, to me, is far worse than being teased.

A good animal example: "The Lion of Judah" or "The Lamb of God"

Answer 2

I had someone tell me he was considered the "black sheep" in the family. All of his brothers and sisters were alcoholics. Not so bad to be an outcast, depends on what your an outcast from. Ugly duckling suggests growth and potential transition to a beautiful swan. And being silly I consider a virtue.

The one that sticks out is cry wolf. It is the only one that involves others in a detrimental way- by erroneously mobilizing there efforts for a illusory threat.

Many others have already named several positive colloquial animal expressions.

I can add "Happy as a clam". I like it because it seems nonsensical (but then again I have been accused of being as silly as a goose! :-).

Answer 3

Silly goose - but they're grand eating. As are ducklings ugly or not, and black sheep - but black sheep can have more fun. A white elephant profits from the stupidity of others; a proud lion is supported by the indulgence of others as long as it lasts (which is as long as he can keep the pretense up). And with "cry wolf", we all fall down. Look at Iraq. For virtue, I like the cat or fox because they're so shrewd and independent - and the elephant because it is so powerful yet walks softly and is usually gentle.

Answer 4

The Ugly Duckling was never ugly to me which was really a Cygnet that grew up to be a Swan.

Black Sheep I choose because it is degrading in two ways:

1. Nobody wants to be called a sheep since it classifies someone as a person who follows the same crowd all the time with out their own self identity.

2. It's to do with being an outcast and nobody wants to be an outcast really, except for the hermit type of course.

Answer 5

I think the worst is black sheep as it means usually that you are a lot different than other family members' sisters ; brothers,When my mom called me the black sheep of our family' it was no compliment wish she would of called me a bit%H OE ****** i could of lived with it.THE MOST POSITIVE IS Proud lion as it is what it states,A white elephant is also good as it is unusual and means good luck in some countries,

Answer 6

What foolish analogies! I wonder where they originated.
It's difficult to identify a creature with labels. I'll give it a go as I see them. Gentle sheep, wise elephant, (empathetic, too), clever wolf, confident lion, cute duckling, wise goose. Oh well.

Answer 7

Ugly Duckling

Answer 8

My answer would be cry Wolf because that would be to a person who usually tells lies, and then when he might be telling the truth, nobody believes him.
They use the Wolf in this instance because in the fairytale of Little Red Riding hood , the wolf pretends to be someone who is so very nice and is dressed in disguise not to show he's really a wolf getting ready to eat you. From what I remember. bettyk

Answer 9

Black sheep is the worst one.It makes u bad in ur own family thats the worst thing to happen to any one.

As strong as lion.
Clever as a Fox.
Swift as an Eagle.
Strong as Ox

Answer 10

Crafty as a fox, wild like a tiger, brave like a lion, wise as an owl.
I can't really say which is worst but for me it's cry wolf.