They’re walking on tenterhooks
Posted: May 27, 2017 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: expressions, humor, language, malaphor, malaphors, on tenterhooks, Rush Limbaugh, walking on eggshells, words 2 CommentsThis one is from Rush Limbaugh’s lips. He was referring to the precarious position of the Republicans who can’t seem to get anything accomplished. This is a mash up of the idioms “on tenterhooks” (in a state of painful suspense) and “walking on eggshells” (to try very hard not to upset someone or something). Incidentally, the expression “on tenterhooks” refers to hooks that formerly were used to hold newly woven cloth that was being stretched on a frame. Their name has long survived this mid 1700s method of manufacture. A big thanks to Jack Chandler for hearing this one and passing it along!
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Malaphors 
I heard my paternal grandmother, born in 1902 in Arkansas, occasionally use this expression when I was a child. This was long before Rush Limbaugh was in full spew, to his adoring public at any rate.
Yes, I have heard it before as well, but it’s definitely a mashup. You can “be on tenterhooks” or “on tenterhooks”, but not walking on them, unless they are also eggshells! Hope you are enjoying the blog, Frank. Dave