Both ends of the gamut
Posted: July 16, 2012 Filed under: TIME | Tags: expressions, spectrum Leave a commentBOTH ENDS OF THE GAMUT
This is one that I am sure is said often, as it involves two expressions that describe distance – “both ends of the spectrum” and “runs the gamut”. The color gamut or music gamut involves a range of hues or pitches, respectively. When “both ends” is uttered, subconsciously one might be thinking gamut. It really makes sense, and perhaps, like “shoot from the lip”, should be acceptable.
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).
No turn on right
Posted: July 13, 2012 Filed under: ACTION | Tags: jumbled phrase, malaphor, mixed idiom Leave a comment
This might be one we have all said after driving all day and the mind has turned to mush. One sees the ubiquitous sign “no turn on red”, processes that as not being able to turn right on a red light, and mumbles, “Crap, no turn on right”.
Shoot from the lip
Posted: July 12, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, BODY PARTS 2 Comments
I heard this one at a meeting several years ago and thought it was an improvement over “shoot from the hip”. It is of course a mash up of shooting from the hip and giving lip, but has a distinct meaning that clearly describes those who speak before they think. I think this one deserves to be added to the idiom lexicon, don’t you?
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….
He smokes like a fish
Posted: July 10, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, ANIMALS, fish, smoke 1 Comment
“The Master” sputtered this observation during a heated bowling match, and after several gin and tonics. It is a brilliant malaphor, mixing two common idioms – smokes like a chimney and drinks like a fish – with the ingenious result of smoked fish.
Never count your eggs before they hatch
Posted: July 9, 2012 Filed under: ANIMALS, chicken, eggs, FOOD 1 Comment
English: easter eggs (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
A mix of never count your chickens before they hatch and all your eggs in one basket. Seems that the brain connects eggs with chickens and then the jumbled mess pours out of the mouth. I heard this one from one of my work colleagues, who I will refer to in the future as “the master”.
Hello malaphor lovers!
Posted: July 9, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized 4 CommentsWHAT IS A MALAPHOR?
A malaphor is a mixture of two idioms, creating a sort of malaprop in metaphor form. They are uttered by everyone unintentionally. The best ones are the most subtle, sounding correctat first blush and then leading to quizzical looks.
ORIGIN
It is believed that the term was first coined by Lawrence Harrison, a government official in the Agency for International Development, in an op-ed piece for the Washington Post in 1976. I later defined the term in Urban Dictionary.
PURPOSE OF THIS BLOG
I have been collecting malaphors for many years, and have posted some periodically on Facebook with friends. This blog is my way of sharing these goofy mixtures with everyone. I plan to post one daily – a “malaphor of the day”. That way you will get a smile or chuckle each day, or a bit of torture, if you find them stupid and have masochistic tendencies. I also would like to hear from you about my posted malaphors, and/or submit any that you have heard or read recently. I will then post them, giving you credit of course. Keep your ears open!
Dave Hatfield
Malaphors 
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