Pattern : MEANINGFUL METPHOR NAME

CONTEXT : You are writing a pattern (or pattern language) that may need to be referred to by other patterns or pattern languages. You have created a pattern that you are attempting to name by applying Evocative Pattern Name.

PROBLEM : How do you give your pattern a useful and memorable name?

FORCES :

Metaphors are a good source of short Noun Phrase Names.

People often find it easier to understand new concepts if they can be related to other concepts with which they are already familiar.

If you try to explain new concepts in terms of unfamiliar concepts, the reader will be baffled. Rocket Science metaphors are typically understood only by Rocket Scientists. Star Trek metaphors ("Darmok and Jalad at Tenagra") are best understood by Trekkers. Hockey metaphors are understood best by Canadians.

If the link between the metaphor and your pattern is clear, readers will be able to transfer their knowledge of the metaphor into the context of your pattern, helping to clarify and facilitate their understanding of your pattern.

If the link between the metaphor and your pattern is unclear, the reader will be baffled. "I understand rocket science, but what does that have to do with your pattern?"

SOLUTION : Find a meaningful metaphor for the pattern, and name the pattern accordingly. Some people are better with metaphors than others, so if a good metaphor doesn't jump out at you, go back to Noun Phrase Name.

RATIONALE : A metaphor effectively creates an association between your pattern and a set of parallel concepts with which the reader is (hopefully) familiar.

RELATED PATTERNS : This pattern is a specialization of Evocative Pattern Name. Noun Phrase Name is an alternative way to create an Evocative Pattern Name though many Meaningful Metaphor Names are also Noun Phrase Names. Buffalo Mountain is an example of a metaphor name that is not clearly explained as part of the pattern description, thus it has meaning only for the author and those with whom it has been shared verbally. This pattern is itself an example of Duplicate Problem Description since it has the same problem statement as Noun Phrase Name.