You’ve probably heard statements like these:
He was alluding to what happened at the meeting yesterday.
or
I’m alluding to your comments about the restructure.
We know what’s meant, but this is not the way to use the word ‘alluding’.
In these sentences, the better word would have been ‘referring’.
What does ‘refer’ mean?
‘To refer to’ means to mention or draw attention to something that has already been done or said:
Could I ask you to refer to the footnotes on the document?
She referred to a claim in the opening speech.
The noun form is ‘reference’:
He made a reference to my earlier remarks.
It was a clear reference to their former status.
‘Allude’, ‘alluded and ‘allusion’ would be wrong in the above sentences.
We find a similar meaning of ‘refer’ in the world of job seeking and recruitment.
You might refer people (put their names forward) for positions or as clients. The reference you give someone is a reminder or highlight of the person’s qualities and achievements.
You wouldn’t use ‘allude’ or ‘allusion’ in those circumstances.
What does ‘allude’ mean?
‘To allude to’ also means to make a reference, but with a specific focus.
It involves mentioning or drawing attention to a well-known figure, expression or idea from literature, history, legend, religion or popular culture:
In his speech, he alluded to the Labours of Hercules.
The sermon will allude to events from sacred texts.
It often appears in the noun form, ‘allusion’:
He was powerful but had his weaknesses; her allusion to Superman was apt.
The poet’s frequent allusion to ancient mythologies made her work difficult to understand.
In the above sentences, ‘alluded’, ‘allude’ and ‘allusion’ could be replaced with ‘referred’, ‘refer’ and ‘reference’.
Using allusions
Most often, allusions are used without mentioning the word ‘allusion’; in other words, they’re not explained. There’s an assumption the audience will understand the reference:
In his speech he talked about the Herculean tasks the Government faced.
He might be able to bend steel in his bare hands but his Kryptonite is the pressure of union demands.
These are (probably) easily recognisable allusions to Hercules and Superman.
Many allusions have become part of everyday speech:
He’s your typical Romeo/Casanova/Adonis/Cupid....
Wake up, Sleeping Beauty.
They were facing their Waterloo.
Beware, though; many well-used allusions have become clichés.
Two things you should know
Sometimes people use allusions that forever remain a mystery to their audience. It’s not a good idea. As you should when using jargon, know your target audience and make sure, as far as possible, they will understand the allusions and not feel excluded.
Obscure allusions will make you seem like a smart-alec and have your audience scratching their headsFollow the same rule as for metaphors. Don’t mix your allusions. Try unravelling this one:
In business he had the Midas touch but in his personal life, his Achilles’ heel was his Dorian Gray complex.
One last point: Don’t confuse ‘allusion’ with ‘illusion’; that’s another story for another day.