You literally just took the food right out of my nose
Posted: October 9, 2015 Filed under: BODY PARTS, mouth, nose, Uncategorized | Tags: expressions, from under my nose, humor, language, malaphor, malaphors, pay through the nose, words, words right out of my mouth 2 CommentsNot a pleasant visual. I think this is a mash up of “from under one’s nose” (in plain view) and “took the words out of my mouth” (to say something just before someone else was going to say the same thing). “My Ol’ Pal” suggests “pay through the nose” might be in the mix as well. A shout out to Ian who heard this one from his wife at lunch the other day.
It’s right under my eyes
Posted: October 25, 2014 Filed under: BODY PARTS, eye, nose | Tags: congruent conflations, expressions, humor, language, malaphor, malaphors, mixed idioms, right before your eyes, right under your nose, words 2 CommentsThis subtle, perfectly formed malaphor is a mash up of “right under my nose” and “right before my eyes”, both meaning something obvious and not hidden. This congruent conflation might also seem obviously correct but on reflection it is indeed a malaphor. It is another example of mixed up idioms involving body parts, particularly on the head for some reason. Another big thanks to the Midwest Regional Senior Malaphor Hunter, Mike Kovacs.
That’s no skin off my teeth
Posted: February 28, 2013 Filed under: BODY PARTS, nose, tooth | Tags: blended idioms, humor, language, malaphors, mixed idioms, skin, skin of our teeth, skin off my nose, teeth, words Leave a commentHeard this beauty last night during a dinner conversation. This is a mash up of “no skin off my nose” and “by the skin of our teeth”.
And then everyone wonders why Europeans turn down their noses at Americans
Posted: January 18, 2013 Filed under: BODY PARTS, nose | Tags: blended idioms, expressions, humor, Jersey Shore, language, look down their nose at, malaphors, mixed idioms, nose, turn up their noses, wordplay, words Leave a comment“Turn down their noses” is a wonderful mash up of “turn up their noses” (sneer at someone) and “look down their noses at” (to see someone who is inferior or has no value). The confusion lies in “up” and “down” and “look” and “turn”. Maybe the nose has “turn down” service? Who knows? But it seems to be an incredibly popular malaphor given the thousands of google hits. The subject line above refers to the Jersey Shore phenomenon:
“The Jersey Shore kids are gross. Not Gross Baboons necessarily, just gross. They are so wrong in so many ways. Have you been to Florence? It is by far one of the most beautiful cities in the world. They needed to have a pack of steroid-ed gumbas trouncing around the Ponte Vecchio like I am going to the moon. Reports from Italy have the locals cringing from horror that this somehow represents Italians in the United States. And then everyone wonders why Europeans turn down their noses at Americans. The worst part is now that the Jersey Snore kids have terrorized Florence, Italians will equate ding-dong Guidos and Guidettes with the state of New Jersey.”
http://imeanwhat.com/tag/dj-pauly-d/
Here’s another good one:
Falvo’s Meats – Don’t get me wrong, I know there are a number of quality butcher shops in the area, but this place with its friendly service, fair prices and excellent products keeps me coming back time after time. I rely upon their advertisement in the Sunday TU for inspiration when planning the week’s meals and my boys turn down their noses at bacon that does not come from the Slingerland’s institution.
http://blog.timesunion.com/vinoteca/11-things-i-love-about-the-capital-district-part-1/5085/
Keep an ear to the grindstone
Posted: December 1, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, BODY PARTS, ear, grindstone, nose, THINGS | Tags: blended idioms, ear, expressions, grindstone, keep an ear to the ground, malaphors, mixed idioms, nose, words 4 CommentsThis one is similar to an earlier malaphor, “put your shoulder to the grindstone” (posted July 20, 2012 – see body parts in index), except it mixes “keep an ear to the ground” (devote attention to watching or listening to clues) and “keep your nose to the grindstone” (work hard and constantly). While these two idioms have different meanings, they both express diligence in an action. They also both have the word “keep” in them. Finally, adding to the confusion are the use of body parts. Body parts are a common source of confusion for some reason, particularly if they are in close proximity – in this case, ears and noses. An amusing aside – I heard this one from a supervisor who was giving me advice.
Malaphors 
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