From scientific literature it is known that the phenomenon of indirect nomination belongs to the periphery of the lexical-semantic system of the language and is still poorly studied (as, for example, V. N. Telia’s works indicate). Our factual material shows that I. Selvinsky uses indirect nomination as a technique of metaphorical transfer, to create vivid artistic images and associations. In general, I. Selvinsky’s secondary nomination reflects individually meaningful figurative linguistic worldview due to its semantic duality, based on similar characteristics of two or more denotations that are implemented in the context of the work. Judging by the features of the behavior of the metaphors in the syntax against the background of related phenomena, one can conclude that the units in question do not coincide with from the literary norm of that time and present, as based on the results of this mini-study, where we analysed and described the relationship of the secondary nomination as a linguistic phenomenon with the stylistics of artistic speech, which is determined – in this case – by specifics of the essay genre.