first voice to break the sound barrier

Not sure how long this link will stay up but; it's to a press release about research on airflow vortices generated in/above the larynx during speech. And for the coarse analogy, we get the title "Human Voice Works Like a Jet Engine." Well, not quite. The larynx isn't a turbine, and can't generate very much thrust - the analogy is just that vocal airflow and jet engine wash both involve turbulence marked by vortices. I'm fairly certain the research itself is serious, but also difficult to engage casual readers without this kind of teaser.

Maybe this is precisely the kind of catchy analogy I need for my own research. Athletes Get Nicknames Like Comic Book Heroes. Prefixes Regenerate Like Rabbits.