That’s a whole different ball of fish
Posted: January 24, 2014 Filed under: ANIMALS, ball, fish, kettle, THINGS | Tags: ball, congruent conflation, different ball of wax, different kettle of fish, expressions, fish, humor, kettle, language, malaphor, malaphors, mixed idioms, wax, words Leave a commentThis is a mix of two phrases with the same meaning – “different ball of wax” and “different kettle of fish” (completely different or not at all similar). Fish ball soup might also be in the unconscious here (see picture). This type of malaphor involving phrases with the same or similar meanings is also referred to as a congruent conflation and is usually the most commonly uttered malaphor (and usually the best). Loyal follower David Spain unintentionally blurted this one out and referred it here. Thanks David!
He’s a wet fish
Posted: November 12, 2013 Filed under: ANIMALS, fish | Tags: blended idioms, cold fish, expressions, fish, humor, language, malaphors, mixed idioms, wet blanket, words Leave a commentThis great malaphor is a blend of”wet blanket” and “cold fish”, both reflecting rather sour personalities, the former a depressing person who spoils others’ enjoyment, and the latter a person who does not seem very friendly and shows little emotion. Fish of course are always wet (unless grilled I suppose) which may have been in the speaker’s mind as well. For some reason a dead fish handshake also seems in play here. I personally am going to start using this expression as there are people out there who fit both categories. John Costello gets the kudos for this one, as he unintentionally uttered this malaphor when he was describing a person who is kind of a dour drip. I hope it wasn’t me!
That’ll be a kettle of worms
Posted: October 12, 2013 Filed under: ANIMALS, ball, fish, kettle, THINGS, worms | Tags: ball of wax, can of worms, expressions, humor, kettle of fish, language, malaphors, mixed idioms, words, Worm 2 Comments
Kettle of Fish (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
This gem is a mixture of “a fine kettle of fish” and “a can of worms”, both meaning to describe a difficult situation or problem. My guess is that the speaker was also confusing worms with fish, as worms are bait for fish. Similar malaphors at this site are “I’ve opened up a can of beans” (7/31/13 compliments of Denita) and “that’s a real ball of worms” (12/18/12, submitted by Paula Fow). Thanks to Barry Eigen who sent this one in, and added that if the speaker had only said “a fine kettle of worms”, the malaphor would have been perfect. Perfection is elusive.
There’s no use crying over fish in the sea
Posted: August 27, 2013 Filed under: ANIMALS, cry, fish, milk | Tags: blended idioms, Don Draper, don't cry over spilled milk, expressions, humor, language, Mad Men, malaphors, mixed idioms, plenty of fish in the sea, television, words Leave a comment
Don Draper of Mad Men works on Madison Avenue (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I’ve got better fish to fry
Posted: August 2, 2013 Filed under: fish, fry | Tags: Batman Returns, better things to do, bigger fish to fry, blended idioms, Catwoman, Christopher Walken, expressions, fish, fry, humor, language, malaphors, Max Shreck, mixed idioms, Tim Burton, words 2 CommentsThis one comes from the Christopher Walken character in the movie Batman Returns:
Charles ‘Chip’ Shreck: Dad, you buy that “blurry” business?
Maximillian’Max’ Shreck: Women. Nothing surprises me, Chip, except your late
mother. Who’d have thought Selina had a brain to damage. Bottom line,
she tries to blackmail me, I’ll drop her out a higher window. Meantime, I
got better fish to fry.
He smokes like a fish
Posted: July 10, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, ANIMALS, fish, smoke 1 Comment
“The Master” sputtered this observation during a heated bowling match, and after several gin and tonics. It is a brilliant malaphor, mixing two common idioms – smokes like a chimney and drinks like a fish – with the ingenious result of smoked fish.
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