mainliners

Overheard at an airport…Two couples were discussing their vacation plans. “We are headed to Branson to catch some shows but we heard there are no mainliners playing right now.” This is a congruent conflation of “headliners” and “main acts”, both referring to performers that are star attractions. I think it is very possible there are a few “mainliners” performing in Branson. A shout out to Mike Kovacs for expert eavesdropping and catching this perfectly formed malaphor!