The phones have been ringing off the wall!
Posted: July 24, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, THINGS | Tags: expression, malaphor, mixed idiom, phones, words 3 CommentsI heard this one on tv during a PBS fundraiser several years ago. As with any good malaphor, I had to write it down immediately or I would have forgotten it. This is a combination of “ringing off the hook” and “off the wall”. It probably was said by someone my age or older, people who grew up with landline phones and where at least one phone was on the wall, usually the kitchen. The phones at that telethon were not on the wall, however.
You’re preaching to the band
Posted: July 22, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, THINGS | Tags: band, choir, expressions, malaphors, mixed idioms, words 2 CommentsThis is a strange malaphor, as the mix-up is not an obvious one – “preaching to the choir” and “jumping on the bandwagon” perhaps? I heard this on tv years ago. Maybe the advent of rock bands in new age churches replacing traditional choirs confused the speaker?
On the other token..
Posted: July 21, 2012 Filed under: BODY PARTS, THINGS | Tags: expressions, idioms, malaphors, words Leave a commentClassic mash-up of “on the other hand” with “by the same token”. Perhaps the speaker wanted to express both thoughts at the same time?
Put your shoulder to the grindstone
Posted: July 20, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, BODY PARTS, THINGS | Tags: expressions, grindstone, malaphor, mixed idiom, shoulder, words 4 CommentsThe Master uttered this advice to a co-worker many years ago. A brilliant malaphor, it is a mix-up of “nose to the grindstone” and “put your shoulder to the wheel”. As a grindstone is a type of wheel, the confusion unfolded and another masterpiece was born.
Out of our price league
Posted: July 18, 2012 Filed under: PLACES, THINGS | Tags: malaphor, mixed idiom 2 Comments
I heard this one years ago when a chain of stores called “Price Club” existed. I imagine that may have prompted today’s malaphor, a mixture of “not in my price range” and “out of my league”. Both indicate something unattainable. Maybe the combination means it REALLY is unattainable?
Out like a log
Posted: July 15, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, THINGS Leave a comment
This is a fairly common malaphor, as it mixes two idioms with the same theme – sleeping. The word “like” is used in both, and the mixed up word begins with an L. No wonder the brain’s search function occasionally makes a mistake.
He’s been shuffling the buck
Posted: July 14, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, THINGS | Tags: malaphor, mixed idiom 2 Comments
I think this mix-up is caused by two similar looking four letter words – buck and deck. Both expressions also have similar meanings – not addressing issues squarely. Finally, maybe the brain reads “shuffle” equating to shuffleboard and then thinks pucks and it comes out buck. Is that a stretch? As “ol pal” notes, this mash up probably includes the phrase “passing the buck” as well, and my guess is that this is what the speaker intended to say. Again, passing is similar to shuffling as in shuffleboard (pushing or passing the shuffleboard puck).
He’ll do anything at the drop of a bucket
Posted: July 11, 2012 Filed under: bucket, CLOTHING, drop, hat, THINGS | Tags: jumbled phrase, malaphor, mixed idiom 2 Comments
I think the brain twists drop and kick together and comes up with this excellent malaphor. I have heard this one several times so the synapse must be weak….
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