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Dr. Edward Warren
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2005 8:15 am
Post subject: The carrot and the stick |
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I recall hearing a story in the 5th grade about a boy who tried to get
a stubborn donkey to pull his cart. His solution was to use a stick
with a carrot dangling at the end. This was held in front of the donkey,
just out of reach.
I have always thought that this story was the original one about carrots
and sticks, but it does not provide the same metaphor that most writers
use. In general parlance, most people refer to the carrot as a reward
to the stick as punishment (apparently for beating).
I have sought references to any story or parable that mentions carrots
and sticks in any sense and I can find none.
Does anyone know of the origin of the carrot and stick metaphor?
Thank you,
Edward Warren
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einde. ocallaghan
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2005 2:44 pm
Post subject: Re: The carrot and the stick |
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Dr. Edward Warren wrote:
| Quote: | I recall hearing a story in the 5th grade about a boy who tried to get
a stubborn donkey to pull his cart. His solution was to use a stick
with a carrot dangling at the end. This was held in front of the donkey,
just out of reach.
I have always thought that this story was the original one about carrots
and sticks, but it does not provide the same metaphor that most writers
use. In general parlance, most people refer to the carrot as a reward
to the stick as punishment (apparently for beating).
I have sought references to any story or parable that mentions carrots
and sticks in any sense and I can find none.
Does anyone know of the origin of the carrot and stick metaphor?
|
Take a look at the explanation at
http://www.hindu.com/br/2003/09/16/stories/2003091600250300.htm -it
refers to an everyday experience in peasant society. this was teh first
respons to the query "origin of carrot and stick?" at Ask Jeeves
http://www.ask.com.
Regards, Einde O'Callaghan |
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Dr. Edward Warren
Guest
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| Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2005 8:17 am
Post subject: Re: The carrot and the stick |
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"einde. ocallaghan" <"einde. ocallaghan"@planet-interkom.de> wrote in
message news:38066iF54u1opU1@individual.net...
| Quote: | Dr. Edward Warren wrote:
I recall hearing a story in the 5th grade about a boy who tried to get
a stubborn donkey to pull his cart. His solution was to use a stick
with a carrot dangling at the end. This was held in front of the
donkey,
just out of reach.
I have always thought that this story was the original one about carrots
and sticks, but it does not provide the same metaphor that most writers
use. In general parlance, most people refer to the carrot as a reward
to the stick as punishment (apparently for beating).
I have sought references to any story or parable that mentions carrots
and sticks in any sense and I can find none.
Does anyone know of the origin of the carrot and stick metaphor?
Take a look at the explanation at
http://www.hindu.com/br/2003/09/16/stories/2003091600250300.htm -it
refers to an everyday experience in peasant society. this was teh first
respons to the query "origin of carrot and stick?" at Ask Jeeves
http://www.ask.com.
Regards, Einde O'Callaghan
|
Thank you, that is exactly the kind of story to which I am referring. I
think that it still leaves room for one to think that the stick used to
dangle
the carrot is the more original metaphor. It is known by those of us who
work with animals that beating actually fails to get the kind of behavior
one wishes. The animal may become afraid of you and I have seen some
rebel by refusing to do anything. If the stick is used instead for
dangling,
then the metaphor is one of enticement and encouragement. I find that
personally more appealing. When real trainers use a stick on an animal,
they merely touch the animal with it, they do not hit them.
Sincerely yours,
Edward Warren
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einde. ocallaghan
Guest
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| Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2005 8:17 am
Post subject: Re: The carrot and the stick |
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Dr. Edward Warren wrote:
| Quote: | "einde. ocallaghan" <"einde. ocallaghan"@planet-interkom.de> wrote in
message news:38066iF54u1opU1@individual.net...
Dr. Edward Warren wrote:
I recall hearing a story in the 5th grade about a boy who tried to get
a stubborn donkey to pull his cart. His solution was to use a stick
with a carrot dangling at the end. This was held in front of the
donkey,
just out of reach.
I have always thought that this story was the original one about carrots
and sticks, but it does not provide the same metaphor that most writers
use. In general parlance, most people refer to the carrot as a reward
to the stick as punishment (apparently for beating).
I have sought references to any story or parable that mentions carrots
and sticks in any sense and I can find none.
Does anyone know of the origin of the carrot and stick metaphor?
Take a look at the explanation at
http://www.hindu.com/br/2003/09/16/stories/2003091600250300.htm -it
refers to an everyday experience in peasant society. this was teh first
respons to the query "origin of carrot and stick?" at Ask Jeeves
http://www.ask.com.
Regards, Einde O'Callaghan
Thank you, that is exactly the kind of story to which I am referring. I
think that it still leaves room for one to think that the stick used to
dangle
the carrot is the more original metaphor. It is known by those of us who
work with animals that beating actually fails to get the kind of behavior
one wishes. The animal may become afraid of you and I have seen some
rebel by refusing to do anything. If the stick is used instead for
dangling,
then the metaphor is one of enticement and encouragement. I find that
personally more appealing. When real trainers use a stick on an animal,
they merely touch the animal with it, they do not hit them.
|
There is a similar metaphor in German "mit Zuckerbrot und Peitsche" -
"with sweetmeat and whip". This would seem to refer more to human beings
than to donkeys, but is essentially the same idea - if you can't get
something done by consent then you will use force.
Regards, Einde O'Callaghan |
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