The elephant that has been in the room for some time has now left, after being successfully coaxed out by trained elephant tamers. So ends a decade of overused metaphor creating a problem for management consultants, conservationists and interior designers.
A spokesman for the room told this website: "It has taken us some time, but the elephant finally appeared to be bored of the cliched use of its predicament and left of its own accord."
A management consultancy firm commented: "Clearly we are very disappointed. The elephant has been a cash cow for us. We must now find a new immediately recognisable, large animal in a small space to take its place. We are setting up a number of meetings to decide and have ordered a shipping order of flip charts and pens."
The elephant is currently receiving psychiatric help. It has been locked in the room for many years and has not seen the sunlight or socialised with other elephants for some time. The RSPCA was asked how such a situation could be allowed to happen - and replied: "I think we all know that these things go on, but no-one talks about it. It's kind of the elephant in the room - oh bugger, you know what I mean."
The other big question that noone is talking about, is what to do with the room. Channel 4 have offered the use of all their rapid reaction interior designers and property experts.
