Not a dry tear in the room

Posted: December 7, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: BODY PARTS, eye, tears | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

This mixes “not a dry eye” (everyone crying from something emotional) and possibly “not shed a tear”(not showing emotion even though something is sad).  “Move to tears” and “end in tears” also could be in play here.  Of course, the speaker is thinking crying so naturally the word “tears” wells up in his mind.    A big thank you to Vic for sharing this.  It was spoken by a friend that was in charge of the sound board during the 60th birthday celebration of his pastor’s wife.

Pony up to the bar

Posted: December 6, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: ANIMALS, bar, belly, PLACES, pony | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

This is a mash up of “pony up” (to pay money) and “belly up to the bar” (approach the bar).  The confusion might also involve the phrase “belly up” (go broke) as it also involves the word “up”.  Finally, the speaker might be thinking of those “animal goes into the bar” jokes.  For example –

A seal walks into a bar.  The bartender asks, “What’ll you have?”  The seal replies, “Anything but Canadian Club.”

Or maybe this is the one that the speaker was thinking about – A horse goes into a bar.  Bartender says, “Why the long face?”

Keep an ear to the grindstone

Posted: December 1, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: ACTION, BODY PARTS, ear, grindstone, nose, THINGS | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

This one is similar to an earlier malaphor, “put your shoulder to the grindstone” (posted July 20, 2012 – see body parts in index), except it mixes “keep an ear to the ground” (devote attention to watching or listening to clues) and “keep your nose to the grindstone” (work hard and constantly).  While these two idioms have different meanings, they both express diligence in an action.   They also both have the word “keep” in them.  Finally, adding to the confusion are the use of body parts.  Body parts are a common source of confusion for some reason, particularly if they are in close proximity – in this case, ears and noses.  An amusing aside – I heard this one from a supervisor who was giving me advice.

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