Metaphors in your prompt silently steer models toward slower algorithms.

arXiv 2607.28683 shows metaphorical instructions trigger analogical transfer of procedural mechanisms from the source domain into generated code, pushing toward exhaustive search, full scans, or repeated reconstruction without naming an algorithm. The MASC framework iteratively metaphorizes benign skills to elicit low-efficiency code while staying task-relevant, and the authors trace the effect to a hidden-state shift toward lower-efficiency procedural prototypes. Mechanistic, not a surface artifact. Which means "sweep through the list" and "comb the records" in your skill files are algorithmic hints. State complexity requirements explicitly.