infrequently the object or idea thus personified is given a title of
respect; thus, "Corporal Black" is the night. Akin to personification
is bold metaphor and association. In this there may or may not be
some evident analogy; thus a crawfish is "a bird," the banca or canoe
is "rung" (like a bell.) Not uncommonly the word "house" is used of
anything thought of as containing something; thus "Santa Ana's house,"
"San Gabriel's house;" this use is particularly used in speaking
of fruits. "Santa Ana's house is full of bullets" is rather pretty
description for the papaya. The word "work" is often used for a thing
made, or a manufactured article.

Saints' names are constantly introduced, generally in the possessive
case; examples are "Santa Ana's house," "Santa Maria's umbrella,"
"San Jose's canes." Less commonly the names of other Bible worthies
occur; thus "Adam's hair." There is not always any evident fitness in
the selection of the Saint in the connection established. San Jose's
connection with rain is suitable enough. One would need to know a
good deal regarding local and popular hagiography in order to see to
what degree the selections are appropriate.

Sometimes words without meaning, or with no significance in the
connection where they occur are used. These may serve merely
to fill out a line or to meet the demands of metre. Such often
appear to be names of the style of "Humpty Dumpty;" these may be
phonetically happy, as similar ones often are in European riddles,
fitting well with the word or idea to be called up. _Marabotania_
is probably meaningless, merely for euphony. Place names with no real
connection with the thought are frequently introduced, as Pantaleon,
Mariveles. "_Guering-guering_" and "_Minimin_" are merely for sound.