In technical texts metaphoric terms perform several functions: expand the scope of information communicated at the same time compressing the information. Extending the meaning of the existing linguistic items, they fix new meanings by designating new concepts. Such terms cannot be described in traditional categories due to their complicated semantic structure and their manifold meaning potential. Furthermore, extending the meaning of the existing lexical items, they formalise and fix new meanings by designating new concepts. In the present article we analyse one of the most frequently applied mechanisms of meaning transformation, namely, semantic shift based on metaphoric meaning extension, used in creation of new terms in several technical fields, such as civil engineering, technology, mechanics, telecommunications, and computing. Metaphoric terms are investigated using a combination of methods of semantic and pragmatic analyses as they may potentially pose communication problems caused by various reasons, such as ambiguity, polysemy, and culture specific associations embodied in the meaning of a term. The symbolic systems chosen for the present research are complex in their nature, as they are simultaneously universal and culture-dependent. Metaphoric terms based on different types of imagery (flora, fauna, etc.) possess different connotations, features and properties, and provoke different associations in different religions, cultures and communities.