[DamagedProperty]

I prescribe to the idea that all thought and language is metaphorical. Language and thought do exist separately but also combine in useful ways for all of us. This is why you can think of something but not find the word for it.

But just look at the metaphorical structure of language. Concepts are nothing but our ability to map our modalities in a way that become useful for our biological goals.

George Lakoff has some great books on metaphors. Metaphors we live by is a great book.