# "Emotional roller coaster" is too much of a cliché, but is there a better one? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 31, 2012, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emotional-roller-coaster-is-too-much-of-a-cliche-but-is-there-a-better-one/623664 "2012-05-31T15:59:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emotional-roller-coaster-is-too-much-of-a-cliche-but-is-there-a-better-one/623664/1 "2012-05-31T15:59:44Z")
I’m writing a book chapter on ways to help caregivers (usually for cancer patients) deal with the emotional ups and downs of their role. The editor wants each chapter introduction to begin with a metaphor. Naturally, an “emotional roller-coaster” has sprung to my mind, but that’s too much of a cliché, and I’m looking for a better one. Here’s what I have so far: > [@](#): > > Caregivers experience a broad range of emotions, some very challenging and some very positive and rewarding. It can be hard to know how to cope with the emotions and the expectations that we have for ourselves and others during the cancer experience. This chapter focuses on ways to cope with the emotions and expectations of caregiving. Any ideas for a metaphor that’s not of the amusement-park variety? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emotional-roller-coaster-is-too-much-of-a-cliche-but-is-there-a-better-one/623664/2 "2012-05-31T16:07:35Z")
Emotional yoyo? Mercurial? ---
**Author:** ![Heracles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heracles/32/487_2.png) [@Heracles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heracles)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emotional-roller-coaster-is-too-much-of-a-cliche-but-is-there-a-better-one/623664/3 "2012-05-31T17:07:58Z")
Emotional involvement is a two-edged sword. One cannot both care and not care. Caregivers have emotions too. Maybe something about boats and waves, tides, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emotional-roller-coaster-is-too-much-of-a-cliche-but-is-there-a-better-one/623664/4 "2012-05-31T17:11:10Z")
I don’t see a problem with using that phrase. Caretakers reading your chapter are not likely to object that a metaphor is “too cliche.” Getting worked up over word choice is a \*very \*first-world problem, and someone who’s caring for a loved one is not going to have the energy to be bothered by it. “Emotional roller coaster” is a descriptive phrase that accurately describes what’s going on. You’re writing to your audience, right? So, why avoid it? ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emotional-roller-coaster-is-too-much-of-a-cliche-but-is-there-a-better-one/623664/5 "2012-05-31T17:26:09Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Mercurial? I stumbled over this one at first, and I’m old enough to know that thermometers used to contain hollow shafts filled with mercury! That’s going to be completely lost on the digital generations. ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emotional-roller-coaster-is-too-much-of-a-cliche-but-is-there-a-better-one/623664/6 "2012-05-31T17:39:59Z")
Peaks and valleys? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emotional-roller-coaster-is-too-much-of-a-cliche-but-is-there-a-better-one/623664/7 "2012-05-31T18:00:02Z")
Emotional whiplash. ---
**Author:** ![11811](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/9d8465/32.png) [@11811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/11811)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emotional-roller-coaster-is-too-much-of-a-cliche-but-is-there-a-better-one/623664/8 "2012-05-31T18:04:27Z")
Emotional teacups ride. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emotional-roller-coaster-is-too-much-of-a-cliche-but-is-there-a-better-one/623664/9 "2012-05-31T18:11:02Z")
spiritual cheese grater. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emotional-roller-coaster-is-too-much-of-a-cliche-but-is-there-a-better-one/623664/10 "2012-05-31T18:28:33Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Emotional yoyo? > > Mercurial? Would you buy Emotional Pogo Stick? Emotional Lawn Sprinkler? ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emotional-roller-coaster-is-too-much-of-a-cliche-but-is-there-a-better-one/623664/11 "2012-05-31T18:34:10Z")
Emotional log flume ride? Emotional tilt-a-whirl? Emotional Wild Mouse? Emotional Music Express? ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emotional-roller-coaster-is-too-much-of-a-cliche-but-is-there-a-better-one/623664/12 "2012-05-31T18:46:51Z")
Emotional midway? ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emotional-roller-coaster-is-too-much-of-a-cliche-but-is-there-a-better-one/623664/13 "2012-05-31T18:50:37Z")
Emotional Tunnel of Love? ETA: Emotional Laff in the Dark? ---
**Author:** ![Heracles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heracles/32/487_2.png) [@Heracles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heracles)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emotional-roller-coaster-is-too-much-of-a-cliche-but-is-there-a-better-one/623664/14 "2012-05-31T19:04:41Z")
I think this is going off the rails. Let’s get back on track, shall we? ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emotional-roller-coaster-is-too-much-of-a-cliche-but-is-there-a-better-one/623664/15 "2012-05-31T19:07:33Z")
So, if you’re in an emotionally stable situation, is that described as “an emotional bench type of thingie on the merry-go-round?” ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emotional-roller-coaster-is-too-much-of-a-cliche-but-is-there-a-better-one/623664/16 "2012-05-31T19:21:18Z")
I am appreciating all the responses, both serious and funny. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![cornflakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emotional-roller-coaster-is-too-much-of-a-cliche-but-is-there-a-better-one/623664/17 "2012-06-01T02:18:01Z")
Greetings from Texas. How about:[ul] [li]All ate up over it.[/li] [li]Run through the wringer.[/li] [li]Wound up so tight that if they stuck a chunk of coal up your butt it’d come out a diamond.[/li] [li]Like a cat in a roomful of rocking chairs.[/li] [li]All dragged out.[/li] …Just don’t waller in it.[/ul] ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emotional-roller-coaster-is-too-much-of-a-cliche-but-is-there-a-better-one/623664/18 "2012-06-01T02:43:52Z")
Emotional stop and go traffic. Taking care of someone is not really a rollercoaster, it’s something that gets going and then stalls abruptly, then goes some more, with a lot of yelling and horn blowing in between. ---
**Author:** ![Civil\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d78d45/32.png) [@Civil\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Civil_Guy)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emotional-roller-coaster-is-too-much-of-a-cliche-but-is-there-a-better-one/623664/19 "2012-06-01T03:03:13Z")
Emotional bungee jumping. Blindfolded. Without knowing how long the bungee cord is, nor what it’s made of, nor, precisely, just where you’re jumping from or towards. Or when the damned jump is finally going to stop. Or how. ---
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emotional-roller-coaster-is-too-much-of-a-cliche-but-is-there-a-better-one/623664/20 "2012-06-01T03:17:49Z")
Having done that of which you speak, I can tell you any normal person would feel completely bipolar going thru it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emotional-roller-coaster-is-too-much-of-a-cliche-but-is-there-a-better-one/623664.md?page=2)