Articles
- A great article on malaphors and other word misuses is To Err is Human: To Study Error-Making is Cognitive Science [Volume XXVIII, Issue: 2, Spring 1989, by Hofstadter and Morris, found in the Michigan Quarterly review.
- The origin of the word “malaphor” is in Lawrence Harrison’s humorous Washington Post op-ed piece on August 6, 1976.
- My definition appears in the Urban Dictionary.
- An article in the Bangor News discussing “mixaphors” – Bangor News
- The Chicago Tribune discusses a common malaphor – “the 800 pound gorilla in the room” – Chicago Tribune
- My article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on malaphors –Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Malaphors 
Here are two malaphors I love to use, both provided by former bosses. The first was “I don’t want to reinvent the horse.” The other was “The possibilities are mindless!”
These are both great, Cecily! Keep ’em coming! Thanks for commenting.
In today’s Wall Street Journal (March 14, 2013), Bernie Williams, VP at USAA Investments, is quoted as saying, “No matter how you slice it or dice it, the consumer hasn’t fallen out of bed.” I’m not sure what this means, but the take-home message is that he uses more cliches than you can shake a stick at!
You’re right – cliche city. No malaphors there I don’t think.
“He dropped it like a lead potato.”
Uttered in conversation at school by a fellow teacher discussing an administrative initiative.
Beauty! Will post soon!