Treat him with golden gloves
Posted: August 10, 2012 Filed under: BODY PARTS, CLOTHING, COLORS | Tags: blended idioms, boxing, expressions, gloves, gold, golden, malaphors, mixed idioms 1 CommentThis is another of “the master’s”, and I have had difficulty figuring out his genius on this one. Obviously he was trying to say “treat with kid gloves” (deal with someone very gently) but what is the other phrase or idiom? Immediately what comes to mind is “golden gloves” (name for amateur boxing competition) but what about “golden handshake” (excellent severance package) or “good as gold” (well-behaved)? I think the best possibility is “golden touch” (a person successful in everything he tries) as “touch” refers to “hands” or in this case “gloves”. Or maybe I am just over analyzing….
Malaphors 
In this case, the context in which the Master said this would matter. Either he wanted to punch someone’s lights out or he wanted him well-treated monetarily or he was describing him as good or fortunate.. I think one of the former 2 would be correct because of the “Treat him with….” If he was merely describing someone, he would have said something more like “He has a golden glove” or “He is golden.glove.” Anyway, you’re free-associating is entertaining.