I have it on the tip of my hand
Posted: August 20, 2012 Filed under: BODY PARTS | Tags: blended idioms, expressions, finger, hand, malaphors, mixed idioms, tip of my tongue, words Leave a commentThis is another classic uttered by “the master”. I remember he was trying to say “on the tip of my tongue” (a word or phrase that can’t be remembered) just out of reach) but what is the mix-up? At first I thought it was “at my fingertips” (within reach) but my “ol pal” reminded me that the phrase “tip my hand” (revealed something that was hidden, such as in a card game) was probably the culprit and I agree. The speaker perhaps was thinking tongue or finger but his unconscious grabbed the wrong body part, as we have seen in prior malaphors.
You wash my back; I’ll wash yours.
Posted: August 17, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, BODY PARTS | Tags: back, blended idioms, expressions, malaphors, mixed idioms, scratch, wash, words Leave a commentThis is again a mash up of “one hand washing the other” and “you scratch my back; I’ll scratch yours” (see yesterday’s malaphor post). These two malaphors were both spoken by “the Master”, so why would he mix them both in different ways? My guess is that he may have been thinking in this one of “watching your back” (looking out for another) since “watch” and “wash” are similar sounding words (“the master” did tend to slur words, especially after a long lunch). Again, it is difficult to step into such a complex mind so I can only speculate.
One hand scratching the other
Posted: August 16, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, BODY PARTS | Tags: blended idioms, congruent conflation, expressions, hand, malaphors, mixed idioms, scratch, wash, words Leave a commentThis is a mix up of two similar meaning idioms – “one hand washing the other” and ” you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours” (reciprocal help). These malaphors that mix idioms having the same or similar meaning are also called congruent conflations.
It was like a ton of bricks was lifted from my shoulders
Posted: August 15, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, BODY PARTS, THINGS | Tags: blended idioms, bricks, expressions, malaphors, mixed idioms, shoulders, weight, words Leave a commentThis mash up involves the idioms “hit like a ton of bricks” (surprise or shock) and “weight was lifted from my shoulders” (relieved of a responsibility), both referring to weight, but one indicates weight off and the other on. The speaker appears to be thinking the word “weight” but somehow “ton of bricks” replaces that thought and the malaphor is born.
Treat him with golden gloves
Posted: August 10, 2012 Filed under: BODY PARTS, CLOTHING, COLORS | Tags: blended idioms, boxing, expressions, gloves, gold, golden, malaphors, mixed idioms 1 CommentThis is another of “the master’s”, and I have had difficulty figuring out his genius on this one. Obviously he was trying to say “treat with kid gloves” (deal with someone very gently) but what is the other phrase or idiom? Immediately what comes to mind is “golden gloves” (name for amateur boxing competition) but what about “golden handshake” (excellent severance package) or “good as gold” (well-behaved)? I think the best possibility is “golden touch” (a person successful in everything he tries) as “touch” refers to “hands” or in this case “gloves”. Or maybe I am just over analyzing….
Rule with an iron thumb
Posted: August 9, 2012 Filed under: BODY PARTS | Tags: blended idioms, expressions, hand, iron, malaphors, mixed idioms, thumb, words 3 CommentsI heard this gem from” the master” as he described our boss: “You know, she rules with an iron thumb.” This is a mash-up of “rule with an iron hand” (harsh leadership) and “under my thumb” (controlling someone). Both phrases have similar meanings and both contain a similar body part so the mix-up is obvious. Of course, “the master” also enjoyed The Rolling Stones so it is possible that the song “Under My Thumb” played a little part in his twisted but ingenious mind. “My ol pal ” noted that “rule of thumb” (a general principle based on experiment) was also probably on ‘the master’s” mind and I agree. This idiom has the words rule and thumb, so those words were swirling in his head for sure.
Green behind the ears
Posted: August 8, 2012 Filed under: BODY PARTS, COLORS | Tags: blended idioms, ears, expressions, green, malaphor, malaphors, mixed idioms, Obama, wet, words 3 CommentsThis is a blend of “green with envy” (jealous) and “wet behind the ears” (novice, inexperienced). I first heard this one back in 1984, and for some reason it seems to be a fairly common one. Even President Obama said it during the 2008 Obama/McCain debates – see my Malaphors in the Media section on this website to watch him. My guess on the mix up stems from the words green and wet, both adjectives for grass.
Perhaps a better interpretation comes from “my ol pal” in her comments. “Green behind the gills” (nauseated) might be the blended idiom with “wet behind the ears” given that gills and ears are in close proximity and that the words “around” and “behind” both indicate location and are also both 6 letter words. Let’s add to the equation “greenhorn” which means naive or new to the situation, identical to the definition of “wet behind the ears.” Not sure what I would do without you, “my ol pal”.
He looks down in the tooth
Posted: August 5, 2012 Filed under: BODY PARTS | Tags: blended idioms, expressions, malaphors, mixed idioms, mouth, teeth, tooth, words 1 CommentThis is a mash-up of “down in the mouth” (gloomy, depressed) and “long in the tooth” (old, past his/her prime). The confusion here is pretty clear: teeth are in the mouth and the words “down” and “long” are four letter words. What I can’t recall is whether the speaker was referring to a person who seemed older or more depressed. Or maybe both as they go hand in hand??
They had to pull his arm to compete
Posted: August 3, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, BODY PARTS | Tags: blended idioms, expressions, malaphors, mixed idioms, words 1 CommentJust heard this one from Kevin Hatfield at dinner. In response to whether Michael Phelps will compete in another Olympics, Kevin said, “they had to pull his arm to compete in this one”. It is an excellent malaphor, as it sounds just a little off. It is a combination of “twist his arm’ (beg someone to do something) and “pull my finger” (ask to fart) or “pull my leg” (kidding someone).
I can’t put my foot on it
Posted: July 31, 2012 Filed under: BODY PARTS | Tags: blended idiom, expressions, malaphor, mixed idiom, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, words 2 CommentsI read this one in the local paper (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) yesterday. In responding to a question as to why he has been pitching so poorly since the All star break, James McDonald of the Pittsburgh Pirates said, “I can’t put my foot on it yet”. This malaphor is a combo of “can’t put my finger on it” and “putting my foot down”. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
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