Literary Devices
Definition and Examples of Literary Terms

Main menu

Skip to content
  • Full List of Literary Devices
  • Grammatical Terms
  • Poem Analysis
  • Book Literary Analysis
  • Phrase Analysis
  • Essay Writing
  • What are Literary Devices
  • Citation

A Word in Your Shell-Like Ear

Meanings of “A Word in Your Shell-Like Ear”

The phrase means let me tell you something privately or secretly. In the phrase, ‘Shell-Like’ is used as an adjective for ears. A person using this phrase usually wants to share information that he does not want to share with anyone. It is also used when the speaker wants to save the listener from an embarrassing situation. It could be used in the sense of a whisper.

In London, the phrase used as a slang ‘A word in your shell-like’ without add the word ‘ear’ which also means the same. There are additional two short forms of the phrase – A word in your ear and A word in your shell-like. All the variations of phrases can be interpreted as ‘I’d like to talk to you (privately).

Origin of “A Word in Your Shell-Like Ear”

Its earliest use has been traced back to the year 1827 in a romantic poem of Thomas Hood titled as “Bianca’s Dream.” The poem has used the last part of the phrase.

“This, with more tender logic of the kind,
He pour’d into her small and shell-like ear,
That timidly against his lips inclin’d;
Meanwhile her eyes glanced on the silver sphere.”

Another use is traced to be in Mckean County Miner; a Pennsylvania based paper cited it in its publication of 1878.

“Without a word he clasped Miss Patterson in his arms. ‘My darling!’ was all he said. She struggled to free herself, strongly at first: but as he whispered something in the crimson shell-like ear close to his trembling lips, the pretty head sank upon his shoulder…”

Examples in Literature

Example #1

A Word in Your Shell-Like Ear by Nigel Rees

This is a dictionary or thesaurus type of informative book in which more than 6,000 such phrases have been explained. The author, Nigel Rees, who is a lexicographer of note, traced their origin, incidents related to them and their first usages. These phrases include titles, clichés, slangs, nicknames, quotations, and idiomatic phrases. Although there are many other books in the market, it seems to be a replacement of the old Brewer’s book titled as Phrase and Fable. The book has highlighted many extinct and new phrases and traced their origins, which makes it a unique book of this type. However, it is quite interesting that this book has not given many origins and etymological roots of its title.

Example #2

From the third chapter of The Public Property by Michael Ferres

“Yes, I know. Look, I know it’s Sunday, and I’m interfering with one of your rare moments of domestic felicity, and I’m a dreadful nuisance and a bore, but if you could just let me pour a few words in your shell-like ear for about five minutes, I’m sure you will agree this is a beauty.”

“What’s wrong with Len? He’s very competent editor.”

Craig sighted into the phone. “Well, quite frankly, I don’t think Len would put it in.”

“Then perhaps it’s a bad story.” There was silence at Craig’s end – sad, patient – and then Mr. Penley resumed, “All right. Go on.”

The paragraph highlights the conversation of Mr. Craig and Mr. Penley, two major characters involved in this section. Mr. Craig is sharing the details of the new editor that Mr. Penley is going to employ. The phrase has been used in the sense that Mr. Craig would first give some detail to Mr. Penely. In fact, he is asking Mr. Penley to give full attention to him for five minutes so that he can discuss the details with him. It means that the phrase has been used in the sense of demanding full attention without getting distracted.

Example #3

A Spanish Love Song by Mason Carnes

Each is laden with my love,
Isabel.

Each one bears to thee above
Incense from an inmost shrine,
Tokens from my heart to thine
Isabel.

“Love me,” whispers every one,
Isabel.

“Love me, love me but alone.”
In your shell-like ear there steal
Tiding of the love I feel.
Isabel.

Do these love-notes reach thy heart,
Isabel.

Do they make it trembling start
With a thrill of warm delight,
Or but meet with cold despite,
Isabel.

Mason Carnes has written this song to express the love for Isabel. The singer asks Isabel, his beloved, whether his love notes reach her ears or not. The phrase has been used in the sense of whether she pays attention to his love notes or not. The phrase has been used in the second stanza where he has preferably used the shell-like ears as the subject instead of as the object of the hearing. Therefore, it is a bit adjustment in the phrase that Mason Carnes has done to clarify his meanings.

Examples in Sentences as Literary Devices

Example #1: “A word in your shell-like ear would do nothing unless you are ready to hear it.” Here the phrase has been used as a metaphor for the whisper.

Example #2: “John has a word in your shell-like ear exactly like Jolly who whispers to you her poetry so that others should not hear.” In this sentence, the full phrase has been compared to the whisper of Jolly. Therefore, it has been used as a simile as the word “like” suggests.

Example #3: “Jessie speaks a word in your shell-like ear when you do not pay attention.” First, this phrase has been used as a metaphor of whisper, and second, the phrase itself is an example of comparison though it is a simile as the word “like” suggests. However, the comparison is also a separate rhetorical device used in this phrase.  

Example #4: “They have spoken many words in your shell-like ear, but you do not hear.” Here the speaker is using the phrase to accuse or rebuke the listener.

Example #5: “A word in your shell-like ear, you have to trust me,” whispered Noah, “Don’t send the report, you have to change the final quotes.” Here the phrase is used by the speaker to share private information and to stop him/her from sending reports.

 

Related posts:

  • Caught Red Handed
  • Codswallop
  • Cock Up
  • Close But No Cigar
  • Strike While the Iron is Hot
  • Chow Down
  • Blue Blood
  • Chinese Whispers
  • Chip Off The Old Block
  • Children Should Be Seen And Not Heard
  • Champ At The Bit
  • Chit Chat
  • Chaise Lounge
  • The Bitter End
  • By The Short Hairs
  • By The Board
  • Carry Coals To Newcastle
  • Carbon Copy
  • Carpe Diem
  • Camera Cannot Lie
  • Break The Ice
  • Black on Black
  • Beggar Belief
  • Bottom Drawer
  • Bone Dry
  • We are not Amused
  • Deus Ex Machina
  • Designer Stubble
  • Daylight Robbery
  • Cut and Run
  • Curry Favour
  • Curiosity Killed The Cat
  • Cry Havoc And Let Slip The Dogs Of War
  • Crop Up
  • Crocodile Tears
  • Crime Doesn’t Pay
  • Cool Britannia
  • Your Name is Mud
  • Bog Standard
  • Tooth and Nail
  • Tongue in Cheek
  • The Weakest Link
  • The Writing is on the Wall
  • Common Sense
  • Comparisons Are Odious
  • Cold Turkey
  • Woe is Me
  • Come A Cropper
  • Trick or Treat
  • Think Outside The Box
  • A Pig in a Poke
  • All’s Well That Ends Well
  • Alter Ego
  • As Soon As Possible
  • An Apple A Day
  • An Englishman’s Home Is His Castle
  • Ankle Biter
  • Annus Horribilis
  • Any Port in a Storm
  • An Arm and a Leg
  • Arms Akimbo
  • Accidentally on Purpose
  • Abracadabra
  • As High As a Kite
  • After the Fact
  • According to Hoyle
  • Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here
  • A Man Who Is His Own Lawyer Has A Fool for a Client
  • A Millstone Around One’s Neck
  • A Miss is as Good as a Mile
  • A Little Knowledge Is A Dangerous Thing
  • A Different Kettle of Fish
  • A Load of Cobblers
  • A Fool and His Money Are Soon Parted
  • A Diamond in the Rough
  • Beck and Call
  • Blue Plate Special
  • Booby Prize
  • Bob’s Your Uncle
  • Blown to Smithereens
  • Blood, Sweat and Tears
  • Beyond the Pale
  • Beware the Ides of March
  • Birds of a Feather Flock Together
  • Better Late Than Never
  • Bling Bling
  • Beggars Can’t Be Choosers
  • Bless You
  • A Bad Penny Always Turns Up
  • Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Beholder
  • Be All and End All
  • Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid
  • Bated Breath
  • Badger To Death
  • Back to Square One
  • At Loggerheads
  • As Pure As The Driven Snow
  • A Stitch in Time
  • All Things Come to Those Who Wait
  • As Happy As Larry

Post navigation

← Ideas to Write Notes on Condolence Card
A Millstone Around One’s Neck →

literary devices forum

Related Posts

  1. Caught Red Handed
  2. Codswallop
  3. Cock Up
  4. Close But No Cigar
  5. Strike While the Iron is Hot
  6. Chow Down
  7. Blue Blood
  8. Chinese Whispers
  9. Chip Off The Old Block
  10. Children Should Be Seen And Not Heard
  11. Champ At The Bit
  12. Chit Chat
  13. Chaise Lounge
  14. The Bitter End
  15. By The Short Hairs
  16. By The Board
  17. Carry Coals To Newcastle
  18. Carbon Copy
  19. Carpe Diem
  20. Camera Cannot Lie
  21. Break The Ice
  22. Black on Black
  23. Beggar Belief
  24. Bottom Drawer
  25. Bone Dry
  26. We are not Amused
  27. Deus Ex Machina
  28. Designer Stubble
  29. Daylight Robbery
  30. Cut and Run
  31. Curry Favour
  32. Curiosity Killed The Cat
  33. Cry Havoc And Let Slip The Dogs Of War
  34. Crop Up
  35. Crocodile Tears
  36. Crime Doesn’t Pay
  37. Cool Britannia
  38. Your Name is Mud
  39. Bog Standard
  40. Tooth and Nail
  41. Tongue in Cheek
  42. The Weakest Link
  43. The Writing is on the Wall
  44. Common Sense
  45. Comparisons Are Odious
  46. Cold Turkey
  47. Woe is Me
  48. Come A Cropper
  49. Trick or Treat
  50. Think Outside The Box
  51. A Pig in a Poke
  52. All’s Well That Ends Well
  53. Alter Ego
  54. As Soon As Possible
  55. An Apple A Day
  56. An Englishman’s Home Is His Castle
  57. Ankle Biter
  58. Annus Horribilis
  59. Any Port in a Storm
  60. An Arm and a Leg
  61. Arms Akimbo
  62. Accidentally on Purpose
  63. Abracadabra
  64. As High As a Kite
  65. After the Fact
  66. According to Hoyle
  67. Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here
  68. A Man Who Is His Own Lawyer Has A Fool for a Client
  69. A Millstone Around One’s Neck
  70. A Miss is as Good as a Mile
  71. A Little Knowledge Is A Dangerous Thing
  72. A Different Kettle of Fish
  73. A Load of Cobblers
  74. A Fool and His Money Are Soon Parted
  75. A Diamond in the Rough
  76. Beck and Call
  77. Blue Plate Special
  78. Booby Prize
  79. Bob’s Your Uncle
  80. Blown to Smithereens
  81. Blood, Sweat and Tears
  82. Beyond the Pale
  83. Beware the Ides of March
  84. Birds of a Feather Flock Together
  85. Better Late Than Never
  86. Bling Bling
  87. Beggars Can’t Be Choosers
  88. Bless You
  89. A Bad Penny Always Turns Up
  90. Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Beholder
  91. Be All and End All
  92. Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid
  93. Bated Breath
  94. Badger To Death
  95. Back to Square One
  96. At Loggerheads
  97. As Pure As The Driven Snow
  98. A Stitch in Time
  99. All Things Come to Those Who Wait
  100. As Happy As Larry

Popular Literary Devices

View Full List of Literary Devices
  • Ad Hominem
  • Adage
  • Allegory
  • Alliteration
  • Allusion
  • Ambiguity
  • Anachronism
  • Anagram
  • Analogy
  • Anapest
  • Anaphora
  • Anecdote
  • Antagonist
  • Antecedent
  • Antimetabole
  • Antithesis
  • Aphorism
  • Aposiopesis
  • Apostrophe
  • Archaism
  • Archetype
  • Argument
  • Assonance
  • Biography
  • Cacophony
  • Cadence
  • Caricature
  • Catharsis
  • Characterization
  • Cliché
  • Climax
  • Colloquialism
  • Comparison
  • Conflict
  • Connotation
  • Consonance
  • Denotation
  • Deus Ex Machina
  • Dialect
  • Dialogue
  • Diction
  • Didacticism
  • Discourse
  • Doppelganger
  • Double Entendre
  • Ellipsis
  • Epiphany
  • Epitaph
  • Essay
  • Ethos
  • Eulogy
  • Euphemism
  • Evidence
  • Exposition
  • Fable
  • Fallacy
  • Flash Forward
  • Foil
  • Foreshadowing
  • Genre
  • Haiku
  • Half Rhyme
  • Hubris
  • Hyperbaton
  • Hyperbole
  • Idiom
  • Imagery
  • Induction
  • Inference
  • Innuendo
  • Internal Rhyme
  • Irony
  • Jargon
  • Juxtaposition
  • Limerick
  • Line Break
  • Logos
  • Meiosis
  • Memoir
  • Metaphor
  • Meter
  • Mood
  • Motif
  • Narrative
  • Nemesis
  • Non Sequitur
  • Ode
  • Onomatopoeia
  • Oxymoron
  • Palindrome
  • Parable
  • Paradox
  • Parallelism
  • Parataxis
  • Parody
  • Pathetic Fallacy
  • Pathos
  • Pentameter
  • Persona
  • Personification
  • Plot
  • Poem
  • Poetic Justice
  • Point of View
  • Portmanteau
  • Propaganda
  • Prose
  • Protagonist
  • Pun
  • Red Herring
  • Repetition
  • Rhetoric
  • Rhyme
  • Rhythm
  • Sarcasm
  • Satire
  • Simile
  • Soliloquy
  • Sonnet
  • Style
  • Superlative
  • Syllogism
  • Symbolism
  • Synecdoche
  • Synesthesia
  • Syntax
  • Tautology
  • Theme
  • Thesis
  • Tone
  • Tragedy
  • Tragicomedy
  • Tragic Flaw
  • Transition
  • Utopia
  • Verisimilitude

Copyright © 2021 Literary Devices. All Rights Reserved. - Contact Us - Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions