Woman: There's something we must discuss Man: Oh, what's that? Woman: It's a problem we both know about but we've been avoiding talking about Man: Yes, and what is it exactly? Woman: The elephant in the room Man: Oh, is that why it feels really cramped in here? Woman: What? Man: Is it an African or an Asian elephant? Woman: I don't know Look, there isn't an actual elephant in the room It's just a metaphoric elephant that represents this issue we've been avoiding