Rome wasn’t burned in a day
Posted: October 25, 2012 Filed under: PLACES, TIME | Tags: blended idioms, expressions, malaphors, mixed idioms, Rome, Rome wasn't built in a day, words 1 CommentA terrific mash-up of “Rome wasn’t built in a day” (involved projects take time) and “Nero fiddled while Rome burned”. The book, “Is Paris Burning?” also could have been on the speaker’s mind, as well as “don’t burn your bridges”.
Don’t air your dirty laundry in the closet
Posted: September 22, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, CLOTHING, PLACES, THINGS | Tags: blended idioms, dirty laundry, expressions, malaphors, mixed idioms, out of the closet, skeletons in the closet, words 2 CommentsCertainly words of wisdom. This is a mash up of “don’t air your dirty laundry” (don’t reveal secrets publicly), “out of the closet” (a secret revealed to the public) and “skeletons in the closet” (deep secrets one does not want revealed), all referring to secrets. And of course dirty laundry often is collected in hampers in the closet so laundry and closet are word associations. On the other hand, maybe the speaker was being literal and recommending that dirty laundry in a closet will eventually make your closet smell….doubtful.
He’s feathering his own bed
Posted: September 19, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, PLACES, THINGS | Tags: avarice, blended idioms, expressions, feather your own nest, greed, make your own bed, malaphors, mixed idioms, words 1 CommentA mash up of “feathering your own nest” (looking after your own interests, particularly material ones) and “make your own bed” (to be the cause of one’s own misery). This is an interesting malaphor, as it combines an expression of greed with one that indicates a person must deal with his/her own actions – in this case, avarice. As a result, I like this one better than “feathering his own pockets” (see blog entry 9/2/12)), a combo of two similar meaning idioms. The speaker may also have been thinking down or feathered pillows/bed when he uttered this confused expression. See also topic #11 in the Malaphors in the Media page on this website for a quote using this malaphor.
The white elephant in the room
Posted: September 6, 2012 Filed under: ANIMALS, COLORS, PLACES | Tags: blended idioms, elephant, elephant in the room, expressions, malaphors, mixed idioms, white elephant, words 2 CommentsThis little ditty was spoken at a meeting last week all the way from Afghanistan. It is a mash up of “elephant in the room” (obvious truth that is either being ignored or going unaddressed) and “white elephant” (a burdensome possession whose costs outweigh its value). The crackerjack research team at Malaphors HQ (my “ol’ pal”) tells me there are few, if any, elephants in Afghanistan, much less white elephants. Tip of the toque to Jim Washabaugh, loyal malaphor follower, for sending me this gem.
He’s going to bite the farm
Posted: August 26, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, PLACES | Tags: bite, blended idioms, death, dust, expressions, farm, malaphors, mixed idioms, words Leave a commentA mix-up of two idioms meaning “to die” – “bite the dust” and “buy the farm”. Perhaps the speaker was thinking of the drought that has caused farmland to turn to dust. Or maybe sometimes those farm animals will bite you in the butt….
Throw it out of the woodwork
Posted: August 23, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, PLACES, THINGS | Tags: blended idioms, crawl, expressions, malaphors, mixed idioms, woodwork, words Leave a commentI had to enlist my “ol’ pal” to sort this one out. She states that “crawled out of the woodwork” means something hidden came to light unexpectedly (like a cockroach or anything/anyone unwelcome). “Thrown out for discussion” represents ideas that have to be considered by the group before a decision can be reached. “Throw it out of the woodwork” seems to indicate forcing something hidden into the light of day, something that must be revealed. I think she has hit the nail on the jackpot with this one.
Nailed the issue to the floor
Posted: August 11, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, PLACES | Tags: blended idioms, expressions, floor, malaphors, mixed idioms, nail, words Leave a commentThis one perhaps combines “nail down” or “nailed it” (get it right) and “take the floor” (one’s turn to speak). On the other hand, perhaps “wipe someone off the floor” (beat someone up) could have been part of the equation? The context in which I heard it was someone saying that the person really was accurate, as in they “nailed it”. “Nailed the landing on the floor” (gymnastics) seems the closest, though Martin Luther’s nailing of the 95 Theses to the church door could have been swirling in this person’s subconscious. Free association is such a personal thing, don’t you agree?
That’s water over the bridge
Posted: August 4, 2012 Filed under: PLACES, THINGS | Tags: blended idioms, bridge, dam, expressions, malaphors, mixed idioms, water, words 2 CommentsThis malaphor is said frequently as it blends two idioms – “water under the bridge” and “water over the dam” – that contain the same word (water) and have the same meaning (past and unchangeable events). Add two words that both describe direction (over and under) and you get a subtle but wonderful malaphor.
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