The Cognitive and Creative Nature of Mixed Metaphors

This paper explores the phenomenon of the mixed metaphor, a type of metaphor long overlooked in linguistic research. Mixed metaphors, which combine incompatible conceptual frames within a single expression or context, often produce humorous, absurd, or stylistically marked effects. By analyzing historical and modern examples—from Shakespeare's Hamlet to early 20th-century prose—the study emphasizes the linguo-creative potential of such expressions. The paper further discusses mixed metaphor as a product of cognitive-linguistic transformations, referencing key theories by Humboldt, Chomsky, and contemporary Russian scholars. It also reviews its historical development, theoretical foundations, and manifestations in literary and discursive contexts. The study highlights the linguistic creativity involved in producing mixed metaphors, using both classical and modern examples. Based on a cognitive-discursive approach, it argues for the legitimacy and effectiveness of mixed metaphors as a rhetorical and stylistic device.Ultimately, the study positions mixed metaphor as a dynamic and creative linguistic resource that reveals deep-seated conceptual blending mechanisms in discourse.