A person can be crazy like a fox, and attractive lady is foxy or even a fox, an old book might have foxing, to outsmart someone is to outfox them, if you are confused you are foxed, and there are probably even more examples that don't immediately spring to mind.
Where does this obsession with foxes come from?
The Fox used as a metaphor has a long history, the following extract explains why:
The fox has a long history of magic and cunning associated with it. The Indians of central California regarded the silver fox as a culture-hero while in Siberia the crafty messenger from Hell, who lured the legendary hero underground, was often depicted in the shape of a black fox.
In the orient, it was believed that foxes were capable of assuming human form. In the Ch'u Kingdom of China foxes were believed to possess plenty of vital force because they live in the earth and are therefore close to the generative powers of the Earth itself.
The Cherokees invoke fox medicine to prevent frostbite, and Hopi shamans always wear fox skins for their healing rites. The Choctaw saw fox as the protector of the family unity. Apaches credited fox for sticking its tail fur into the flame and stealing fire for humans.
Associations
- The fox is associated with working to blend in with the surroundings, to come and go unnoticed, and to move silently. According to both Native American and Druidic belief, fox medicine involves adaptability, cunning, observation, integration, diplomacy and swiftness of thought and action.
As for the use of Fox as a metaphor in the English language: (from Etymonline)
- Metaphoric extension to "clever person" was in late Old English. Meaning "sexually attractive woman" is from 1940s; but foxy in this sense is recorded from 1895. A fox-tail was anciently one of the badges of a fool (late 14c.).
