I want to go on the table
Posted: December 30, 2013 Filed under: record, table, THINGS | Tags: blended idioms, expressions, go on record, humor, language, malaphors, mixed idioms, put your cards on the table, words Leave a commentThe speaker, Trey Compton, was wanting to “go on record” but instead uttered this wonderful malaphor, a mash up of “go on record” (official statement) and “put your cards on the table” (candid statement). Then again, knowing Trey, maybe he really wanted to go on a table? Thanks to Trey Compton for sending this one in!
It added another feather to his bow
Posted: December 12, 2013 Filed under: bow, feather, Uncategorized | Tags: another string to his bow, bow, Bow and arrow, expressions, feather, feather boa, feather in his cap, humor, language, malaphors, mixed idioms, words Leave a comment
Bow, Arrows, & Quiver (Photo credit: Travis S.)
This is a mash up of “another string to his bow” (an Australian and British idiom meaning an extra skill or qualification), “another arrow to his quiver” (American version of the same), and “a feather in his cap” (an honor or award). The confusion certainly lies in the meanings of both phrases which are similar, but also that bows and arrows conjure up feathers in headdresses. Arrows also contain feathers at the ends. I can also see the speaker confusing bow with boa, and that of course leads to feather boas, a must have item in burlesque shows. Lots going on in this malaphor. Thanks to Eric Marsh for sending this one in.
It will help you get your toe in the door
Posted: December 2, 2013 Filed under: BODY PARTS, door, foot, toes | Tags: blended idioms, dip your toe in the water, expressions, foot, get your foot in the door, humor, language, malaphors, mixed idioms, toe, words Leave a commentThis mix-up was heard last week on the Today Show. A person was giving advice on how women can network to get back into a career after being out of work for a long time. She gave an example of web ideas and then uttered this great malaphor. It is a mash up of “get your foot in the door” (start at a low level in an organization in order to get a better job in that organization) and “dip your toe in the water” (start carefully or test things first). So perhaps a toe in the door is almost getting the job. I note that Australians say “get a leg in the door” instead of “foot in the door”, indicating that they are expecting a little higher level entry position? Certainly their minimum wage indicates so (Australia 15.96/hr vs. US 7.25/hr). Thanks to Ron Marks for sending this one in!
I’ve got nothing to hide but the truth
Posted: November 25, 2013 Filed under: hide, truth | Tags: blended idioms, expressions, freudian slip, humor, language, malaphors, mixed idioms, nothing but the truth, nothing to hide, oath, truth, words Leave a commentPerhaps this malaphor should be categorized as a “freudian slip malaphor”, as it was uttered by a person under oath. It combines the phrase “I have nothing to hide” and the end of the witness oath in which one swears to tell the truth, the whole truth and “nothing but the truth.” It might also apply to politicians these days. Thanks to John Costello for sending this beauty in!
I think it’s time he laid down the torch
Posted: November 17, 2013 Filed under: gauntlet, THINGS, torch | Tags: blended idioms, carry the torch, Dick LeBeau, expressions, humor, language, lay down the law, malaphors, mixed idioms, Pittsburgh Steelers, throw down the gauntlet, words 2 Comments
English: Dick Lebeau with Mr. and Mrs. John Mitchell (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
This was uttered near the end of the first half of the Steelers/Lions game, and was directed at Dick LeBeau, the Steelers’ defensive coach. Considering the context (Steelers blowing a lead and the defense not playing well), I believe this is a mash up of “lay down the law” (to scold someone) and “carry the torch” (to lead or participate). “Throw down the gauntlet” (to challenge someone) might also be in the mix. Thanks to Kevin Hatfield for hearing this one and sending it in!
Just a wild stab
Posted: November 7, 2013 Filed under: guess | Tags: blended idioms, expressions, humor, language, malaphors, mixed idioms, take a stab at, wild guess, words 3 CommentsMalaphors appear everywhere, and this one appeared as a response to one of my malaphor postings. When I posted “I will not yield to a monkey court”, my good friend and avid malaphor follower Laszlo Veres responded, “was he talking to his fellow Dems? (just a wild stab… wait…wow, I just invented a malaphor!”). Wild stab is a mash up of “wild guess” and “take (or make) a stab”. The unintentional malaphor response to a malaphor makes this one a particular favorite of mine!
Count your losses
Posted: October 30, 2013 Filed under: blessings, count | Tags: blended idioms, count your blessings, cut your losses, expressions, humor, language, malaphors, mixed idioms, Tomato, words Leave a comment
fried green tomatoes (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
This beauty comes from Sarah Hodges: “My husband and I were discussing the coming frost and my still-green
tomatoes. He told me to “count my losses” and just pick them green.” This is a mash up of “cut your losses” (do something to stop further losses) and I believe “count your blessings” (grateful for any small benefit, particularly in a difficult situation). Hey, a green tomato is better than no tomato, right?
She’s going to kick some dust off the tires
Posted: October 22, 2013 Filed under: ACTION, brush, dirt, dust, kick | Tags: blended idioms, expressions, Hillary Clinton, humor, kick the tires, language, malaphors, mixed idioms, words 2 Comments
CNN studio (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Hillary Clinton that is. This malaphor was spoken by CNN political reporter Peter Hamby when discussing the Hillary campaign speech in the Virginia governor‘s race. It is a mash up of “kick the tires” (to test something) and I think “when the dust settles” (waiting for things to calm down), although “bite the dust” (to die) might be in the mix as well. Certainly tires cause lots of dust so hence the confusion. A big thanks to Steve Grieme for hearing this one and sending it in.
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.
He has stuck his feet in the sand
Posted: October 3, 2013 Filed under: BODY PARTS, foot, sand, THINGS | Tags: blended idioms, bury your head in the sand, Capitol Hill, dig your heels in, draw a line in the sand, expressions, Harry Reid, humor, language, malaphors, mixed idioms, Republican Party United States, Senate Democrats, Steve Scalise, stick your head in the sand, words 2 Comments
Photo of Congressman Steve Scalise (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
This timely malaphor is a mash up of several phrases, idioms, and ideas. Certainly “stick one’s head in the sand” (refuse to think about an unpleasant event) and “bury one’s head in the sand” (to ignore or hide from obvious signs of danger) is in the mix, along with “draw a line in the sand” (create an artificial boundary and imply that crossing it will cause trouble). In addition, “dig your heels in” (refuse to alter a course of action) is in play, considering context. Sticking your feet in cement also comes to mind. This mix-up was spoken by Steve Scalise (R-LA) at a press conference on Capitol Hill. Mr. Scalise was referring to Harry Reid and the Senate Democrats, indicating that they would not negotiate. You can find this beauty at about 1:30 in the video below:
WATCH: Hecklers rip into House Republicans during press conference addressing government shutdown
Thanks to Susan Kestner for sending this current and timely malaphor in!
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