Maybe it’s because economics requires the development of math skills to the exclusion of writing skills that much economics writing is riddled with ill-conceived metaphors. Paul Krugman sounds the alarm:

Uh oh. we’ve got a downturn that can feed itself and, at the same time, dig trenches. The fascist octopus will sing its swan song any day now.

Sounds like a fun sport, spotting travesties like these. They should be in abundance as reporters struggle to keep pace with events and consequently drop their standards.