Three’s a charm

I love this one because it’s so subtle.  This is a mash up of “two’s company, (but) three’s a crowd” (a way of asking a third person to leave because you want to be alone with someone) and “third time’s a charm” (the third time you try something it will work).  The mix up is caused by the number three appearing in both idioms, and with the similar looking and sounding “charm” and “crowd”.  Ian, a regular malaphor follower, found this on a camera site that he frequents.  Here is the source: http://m.dpreview.com/news/2679996282/three-s-a-charm-sony-rx10-iii-added-to-studio-scene-comparison-tool.  Thanks Ian for spotting this and sending it on!

Speaking of charms, if you haven’t purchased THE book on malaphors, He Smokes Like a Fish and other Malaphors, you need to!  It’s cheap, charming, and on Amazon so follow this link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0692652205.