The English language can be confusing for several reasons. You may find that many words have a similar meaning, but they are not all appropriate or accurate to use under all circumstances. To allude to something and to refer to something, for example, is not precisely the same thing.
As I mentioned in an earlier Grammar 101 entry on the differences between allusion, illusion, and elusion, an allusion is when you make a reference to a book, movie, situation, person, or any number of other things. This is used extensively in both works of fiction and works of nonfiction, adding depth and context to the subject matter at hand.
As a general rule of thumb, when you allude to something, you are referring to it in an indirect way. You are suggesting it without explicitly mentioning it. If you are writing about a journey that someone is taking, you may allude to the “yellow brick road” from The Wizard of Oz. If you do not explicitly mention that movie, then you are making an indirect reference to it. Here’s an example:
“Jerry may have a long way to go before he can get home, but at least he has some companions with him on this yellow brick road.”
Jerry isn’t literally traveling on a yellow brick road; this is simply an indirect reference to the popular movie. Contrast the above sentence to the one below:
“Jerry may have a long way to go before he can get home, but just like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, he has companions. It’s almost like he is traveling a similar yellow brick road.”
Realistically, that’s not really an allusion anymore. You aren’t alluding to The Wizard of Oz; you’re referring to it. This connection is much more direct and unambiguous, as you are clearly spelling out that you are talking about The Wizard of Oz. It’s not just implied.
The next time you want to say that someone alluded to something, consider whether it is more appropriate to say that the someone referred to that something instead.
In today’s world it is really hard to allude to things as much because people tend to segment their world and don’t see that favorite TV program that others are watching, or rapper that is in the news. In fact for a lot of younger people, if I alluded that some one was trying to lasso the moon, I’m sure they would be lost on the “It’s a Wonderful Life” connection.
Yes. Do you happen to know Cook’s trip or Tardis-like house?
I would know Tardis Like because I like shows like Dr. Who. But I would have no clue about Cooks trip.
Do these give you any clue?
The guide gave the group a Cook’s tour of the types of sea life that they might encounter on their dive.
“Remain in the party zone. Do not drag other guests on an adventurous cook’s tour of the property, sneak beyond closed doors, explore the master bath instead of the powder room, or snoop in the medicine cabinet.” — From an article by Krys Stefansky in The Virginian-Pilot, December 12, 2011.
Thank you so much for clarifying this! 🙂 I’ve been trying to use allusions in my books, but I wasn’t really sure if I was using them the right way…thanks!
“I live in the land of the free” is an allusion to The Star Spangled Banner.
“The Star Spangled Banner calls the place where I live, the land of the free” is a reference to the same work.