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.
I was lost from the word start
Posted: July 23, 2012 Filed under: TIME | Tags: expressions, malaphor, mixed idiom, words Leave a commentI heard this one from a good friend and it sounded slightly wrong and yet it fit in context with the subject matter. The best malaphors are the ones just slightly off kilter. They also are difficult to remember as they blend into the lexicon landscape so effortlessly. This subtle malaphor is a mix up of “from the word go” and “from the start”.
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.
Throw in the hat
Posted: July 19, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, CLOTHING | Tags: expressions, hat, malaphor, mixed idiom, words 1 CommentThis malaphor mixes two idioms with opposite meanings – “throw in the towel” and “hat in the ring”. When I heard it, the speaker intended to say”throw in the towel”. Maybe he didn’t really want to give up? Or maybe it was that second martini talking….
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?
Get out of my hair!
Posted: July 17, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, BODY PARTS | Tags: malaphor, mixed idiom 1 Comment
Just about right, except for the body part. This is a mash-up of “get off my back” and “out of my hair”. Perhaps the “malaphoree” had an impressive hairdo?
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.
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