On the top of their tongues

This is another beauty from The New York Times. Here’s the quote: “What exactly would a President Harris do? That question was not on the top of the tongues of many delegates this week.” 

This is a mashup of “on the tip of (one’s) tongue” (almost able to be recalled) and “off the top of (one’s) head” (from memory or without much consideration). “On the top of (one’s) list” might also be in the mix given the context. “Top of mind” was suggested by Yvonne Stam as part of the mix, and certainly seems so as it fits with the story. Another salute to Barry Eigen for spotting this one and sending it in.

She’s painting her story

On MSNBC’s Morning Joe, Symone Sanders-Townsend, former counsel to the Vice President of the United States, was talking about Kamala Harris, and said “she’s painting her story”. This is a congruent conflation of “painting a picture” and “telling (one’s) story”, both meaning to giving an elaborate or detailed description of something or someone. Kudos to Mike Kovacs for hearing this one and sending it in!

She had the hall wrapped in her hand

This one comes from Peter Baker of The New York Times. His article was discussing Michelle Obama’s speech at the Democratic Convention: “From the minute she entered to Stevie Wonder to the end when she introduced her husband, she had the hall wrapped in her hand.” This is a congruent conflation of “in the palm of her hand” and “wrapped around her little finger”, both meaning to have complete control over someone or something. This is a classic body parts mashup: in this case fingers and hands are the culprits. Here’s the article:

Barack Obama at DNC: I Am ‘Stupid Enough to Speak After Michelle’ – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

A big thank you to Barry Eigen for spotting this perfectly formed malaphor.

Show me the beef!

John Shumway, a morning news anchor on KDKA in Pittsburgh was discussing a study showing that eating red meat is linked with a diabetes risk. He then said that’s too bad as he really likes red meat, exclaiming “show me the beef!” This is a congruent conflation of the phrases “show me the money” and “where’s the beef?”, both meaning to see evidence of value.

“Show me the money” is a catchphrase from the 1996 movie Jerry Maguire. In the movie, Cuba Gooding Jr.’s character, Rod Tidwell, says the line to Tom Cruise’s character, Jerry Maguire, in an attempt to keep Maguire as his only remaining client. The line is part of a mantra that represents the bond between the two characters.

“Where’s the beef?” is a catchphrase in the United States and Canada, introduced as a slogan for the fast food chain Wendy’s in 1984. Since then it has become an all-purpose phrase questioning the substance of an idea, event, or product. In the ad, titled “Fluffy Bun”, actress Clara Peller receives a burger with a massive bun but a tiny patty from a fictional competitor, which uses the slogan “Home of the Big Bun”. The small patty prompts Peller angrily to exclaim, “Where’s the beef?” Director Joe Sedelmaier actually wanted Peller to say, “Where is all the beef?” but because of emphysema, that was too hard for her.

Pushing all the cards in the table

There was a text exchange about Kamala Harris being nominated as the Democratic candidate for President after Biden decided not to run. A Republican in the conversation said the Democrats were “pushing all the cards in the table”. This is a mashup of “put all (one’s) cards on the table” (to reveal everything) and “pushing the chips all in” (betting all your chips on a poker hand). Both essentially mean going all out for something, whether it is information or a bet. Kudos to Bruce Ryan for spotting this one and sending it in.

Razor tight

Buck Sexton was talking about the tight poll numbers for the upcoming U.S. Presidential election on his show, Clay and Buck. He referred to the race as “razor tight”. This is a congruent conflation of “tight race” and “razor-thin margin”, both describing very close situations. “Airtight” (no noticable flaw or weakness) might also be in the mix, adding to the “narrow” context. A big thanks to Verbatim for hearing this one and sending it in!

Skirt it under the rug

A Kamala Harris supporter was discussing how Harris is actually tough on border control:

Clark Willits — a supporter from California who drove nine hours to attend the event and then waited outside in the heat for five hours to get inside — dismissed the attacks from the right on Harris’s immigration record.

“I think she can’t skirt it under the rug, so to speak, but I don’t think she has much to worry about when it comes to immigration,” he said. “I believe in her, and I know that she will pass immigration reform, because she takes those matters very seriously as a multiracial individual herself.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/08/10/harris-walz-border-immigration-trump/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNzIzMjYyNDAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNzI0NjQ0Nzk5LCJpYXQiOjE3MjMyNjI0MDAsImp0aSI6ImNjMzJhMjZjLTQ4YjItNGU2Ni1hM2JiLTUwZTM2NDU5ZTE5NiIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9wb2xpdGljcy8yMDI0LzA4LzEwL2hhcnJpcy13YWx6LWJvcmRlci1pbW1pZ3JhdGlvbi10cnVtcC8ifQ.FRYQNHGuNNda2PgiLMHAlZE4KTUCJeTm6EVb94R70Ek

This is a congruent conflation of “skirt around (someone or something)” and “sweep (something) under the rug”, both meaning to avoid or evade something. Shout out to John Costello and Tom Justice for both spotting this one in the Washington Post and sending it in! Good eyes!

This will be cakework

A friend was at a bachelor party and somebody had hired an adult entertainer. Based on the friendly, non-threatening audience, the friend said that “this will be cakework” for the entertainer. This is a mashup of “a cakewalk” (something that is easy or effortless) and “like clockwork” (something that is regular or happens without delays). Both expressions describe something without problems or hindrances. A big thanks to Adam Jacob for hearing this one from another friend who was present at the party and sending it in!

The shoe has flipped completely upside down

On CNN Wednesday morning (7/24/24), John Berman was interviewing Howard Dean about campaign strategy. Dean mentioned how Trump is now the old guy and “the shoe has flipped completely upside down.” This is a congruent conflation of “the shoe is on the other foot,” and “the script has been flipped”, both referring to circumstances that have been reversed. “Turn (something) upside down” also describes a reversal so may be in the mix as well. Triple congruent conflation? Well done, Howard. Props to Ron MacDonald for spotting this one and sending it in!

He’s out of the times

There was a conversation about a person who was not up on the latest. This is a congruent conflation of “out of touch” and “behind the times”, both referring to someone not aware of or using the latest ideas or techniques. “Out of time” (having no more time to do something) might also have been in the speaker’s mind. Props to Doree Simon for hearing this one and Kevin Hatfield for uttering this nice mashup.