Well, you need lessons from somebody
Words have meaning. So do metaphor.
I believe it would be either "so does metaphor" or "so do metaphors." And you're a college professor ? In the College of Education?
My initial post to you was meant to be humorous, merely pointing out that the metaphor was wrongly applied and indicated a lack of familiarity with the origin of the phrase. Your snappish response "Step Off" indicates that you and McCain share an uneven and unfortunate temperament.
I am done, sir.
Your initial post to me was written as if from someone with a mind like a steel trap and a condescending attitude, as if I didn't know the "true meaning" of "loose cannon" and as if my expression was to be taken narrowly and literally. Maybe you didn't mean it that way, but that's how it came across.
Well, good, I hope you mean it. However righteous your stance, this thread has always been a haven from petty fights among ourselves and I hope it will stay that way.