trinkle
Posted: February 2, 2026 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: expressions, humor, language, malaphors, mixed idioms, word blend, words 1 CommentWith the cold weather, it was advisable to leave the faucet open in the kitchen to allow a small flow of water. But the speaker added, “but just a trinkle!” This is a one word blend congruent conflation malaphor of “trickle” and “sprinkle”, both meaning just a little. “Tinkle” might also be in the mix. I will state for the record that “trinkle” is a rare, Scottish word but is archaic and not used. Therefore I have determined this is a bonafide malaphor. A big thank you to Patti Palladino for uttering this beauty and Skip Kennedy for reporting it to Malaphor Central.
At the stroke of dawn
Posted: January 31, 2026 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: expressions, humor, language, malaphors, mixed idioms, So Supernatural, Van Meter Visitor, words, Yvette Gentile Leave a commentThis was heard on the podcast, So Supernatural. Yvette Gentile was discussing the 1903 case of the Van Meter Visitor. People from the town of Van Meter, Iowa were waiting to see a cryptid appear after someone in town saw it on top of buildings, etc. They waited outside of the entrance to a mine where it was seen going into all night and then “right at the stroke of dawn” it appeared. This is a mashup of “stroke of midnight” (precise moment a new day begins) and “crack of dawn” (time very early in the morning). A big thanks to Anthony Kovacs for sharing this timely malaphor.
Throwing our swag around
Posted: January 28, 2026 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: expressions, humor, language, malaphors, mixed idioms, Philadelphia Inquirer, Trump, words Leave a commentThis one comes from the Philadelphia Inquirer, Sunday Jan 25, p A8. Asked about how Trump is doing in Northeast PA, a voter said:
“He’s done great militarily, throwing our swag around.”
This is a mashup of “throw (one’s) weight around” (to assert oneself in an authoritarian manner) and “swagger” (conduct oneself in an arrogant or pompous manner). It is almost a congruent conflation, as both idioms conjure an arrogant way of behaving. Interestingly, “swag” is promotional merchandise, and the speaker might have been thinking of that as well. A big thanks to Linda Bernstein who spotted this one and sent it in!
He needs to get his ass in the game
Posted: January 26, 2026 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: expressions, humor, language, malaphors, mixed idioms, words 1 CommentWhile watching Indiana basketball, I told my wife that I was unhappy with Tucker DeVries’ lackluster play. I then uttered this malaphor, which is a congruent conflation of “get (one’s) head in the game” and “get (one’s) ass in gear”, both meaning to get motivated or get moving. Of course we both immediately shouted “malaphor!”
He’s not pulling his slack
Posted: January 24, 2026 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: expressions, humor, language, malaphors, mixed idioms, words 1 CommentA friend said he was fired from a job for not being able to keep up with the work, and said, “they didn’t think I was pulling my slack”. This is a mashup of “pull one’s weight” (do one’s fair share of the work) and “slack off” (work less hard than usual). Or maybe he was just pulling his slack? A shout out to John Kooser for hearing this one and sending it in!
I’m an open door
Posted: January 16, 2026 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: expressions, humor, language, malaphors, mixed idioms, words 1 CommentAt the conclusion of a presentation, the presenter said to “reach out to me after the call with any questions. I’m an open door.” This is a mashup of “I’m an open book” (a person easily understood) and “open door policy” (a decision by someone in authority to make themselves available at all times). This appears to be the sister malaphor to one I posted a few years ago, “I have an open ear policy”. https://malaphors.com/2016/05/23/i-have-an-open-ear-policy/
Kudos to Andy Jacobs for hearing this one and sending it in!
sent on a false goose chase
Posted: January 9, 2026 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: blended idioms, expressions, humor, language, malaphors, mixed idioms, words Leave a commentA friend was accidentally given some incorrect information for something he was trying to look up. This caused him to waste time researching in the wrong direction. When he realized he had been given the wrong info, he commented that he was sent on a “false goose chase”. This is a mashup of “wild goose chase” (a hopeless pursuit of something unattainable) and I think, because of the failure to secure the correct information, “false start” (an unsuccessful attempt to begin something). “False flag” (a political or military act done in such a way to appear it was carried out by a party that was actually not responsible) and “false alarm” (unnecessary or unfounded warning) might also be in the mix. A big thank you to Verbatim for hearing this one and sending it in.
She’s a money digger
Posted: January 5, 2026 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: expressions, humor, language, malaphors, mixed idioms, WORD BLENDS, words 1 CommentThis one was said by my wife during the movie, “The Best Years of Our Lives”. She was commenting on Captain Fred Derry’s (Dana Andrews) wife, Marie (Virginia Mayo). We immediately cried out “malaphor!” This is a single word blend type, mixing “gold digger” (a person who forms a relationship with another to extract money) and “money grubber” (someone who obsessively accumulates and protects their money). Props to Elaine Hatfield for contributing this one!
getting his dues
Posted: January 2, 2026 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: comicbook.com, expressions, humor, malaphors, mixed idioms, Star Trek, words Leave a commentThis one was spotted in comicbook.com, in the article “New Star Trek Show Finally Completes The Redemption Of The Next Generation’s Most Hated Character”. https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/new-star-trek-clip-finally-completes-the-redemption-of-the-next-generations-most-hated-character/
Second paragraph:
“…our greatest officers… who went on to become legendary.” Finally, Wil Wheaton’s Wesley is getting his dues, and while it may seem like empty fan service, there’s a good discussion to be had around his inclusion…
The conflation is subtle, but a conflation nonetheless. You “pay your dues” (fulfill one’s obligations) and you “get your due” (receive what you rightly deserve – in this case, recognition). A silly “s” makes all the difference. A big thanks to Frank King for sending this one in.
Dropped the tea
Posted: December 29, 2025 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Aaron Smith Levin, expressions, humor, language, malaphors, mixed idioms, words Leave a commentAaron Smith Levin, ex-Scientologist, who runs the YouTube channel “Growing Up In Scientology”, was commenting on the comments of another ex-Scientologist. This is a congruent conflation of “dropped a bomb” and “spilled the tea”, both meaning to reveal something that is unknown and unexpected. Props to Verbatim for hearing this one and sending it in!
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