Movies
Here’s a classic malaphor for the season: Clark (Chevy Chase) in Christmas Vacation saying “eat my rubber”. His son corrects him, pointing out the correct idioms, eat my dust and burn rubber. Thanks to John Costello for contributing this famous malaphor from the movies.http://movieclips.com/VYvKC-christmas-vacation-movie-eat-my-rubber/
Christmas Vacation – Eat My Rubber
The character played by Jeremy Irons says, “it’s spilled milk under the bridge”. A shout out to Beverly Rollins Sheingorn for catching this beauty.In doing a little research, it appears as if the screenwriter may have intended this malaphor as trading executives often speak in idioms and cliches. Two bankers who saw the movie specifically noted that mixed metaphors appeared in JP Morgan memos. See the link below:http://www.londonspectator.com/2011/10/ft-takes-two-bankers-to-see-new-movie.html
Quoted by Mr. Furious.
I GOT BETTER FISH TO FRY (Batman Returns)
This one comes from the Christopher Walken character:
Charles ‘Chip’ Shreck: Dad, you buy that “blurry” business?
Maximillian’Max’ Shreck: Women. Nothing surprises me, Chip, except your late
mother. Who’d have thought Selina had a brain to damage. Bottom line,
she tries to blackmail me, I’ll drop her out a higher window. Meantime, I
got better fish to fry.This is a blend of “I’ve got bigger fish to fy” and “I’ve got better things to do”. Kudos to Barry Eigen for spotting this subtle malaphor.
YOU SOWED YOUR OWN POISON, MAN!
This mix up comes from the movie Pineapple Express, spoken by James Franco’s character, Saul. It is a mash up of several idioms, I think, including “you made your bed, now lie in it” (bad outcome is based on your actions), “pick your poison” (must choose between equally bad things), and “as you sow, so shall you reap” (outcomes are based on how you behave). A shout out to Basil D’Costa for sending this beauty in!
KEEP YOUR MOUTH DOWN (THE WATCH)
This is a great congruent conflation of “keep your mouth shut” and “keep it down”, both meaning to keep quiet. “Keep” is the shared word that adds to the confusion. It was heard on the movie “The Watch”. Here’s the context (heroes talking to the skeptical police):
There’s aliens in the store.
Oh yeah? Aliens. Where?
It was right over there until you scared it. Now keep your mouth down.
http://www.subzin.com/quotes/M5919500d3/The+Watch/Now%2C+keep+your+mouth+down.
A big thanks to Barry Eigen for spotting this one and passing it on
Malaphors 
I’m watching Batman Returns, and the Christopher Walken character just said, “Meantime, I’ve got better fish to fry.” A mashup of “I’ve got better things to do” and “I’ve got bigger fish to fry” I think. Not especially funny, but still a malaphor.
This is an excellent one, Barry. Nice and subtle – the best types. will post soon. Thanks again. How’s retirement? I am enjoying it immensely – returned to do a FIT like project for Medicare but I plan to probably end it soon so I can go back to malaphors…. Dave