Don’t rock the apple cart

Posted: January 10, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: apple, boat, cart, FOOD, THINGS | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

This congruent malaphor mixes the similar meaning phrases “upset the apple cart” and “rock the boat”.    A good example of the use of this malaphor is in a description of an Upper West Side apartment for rent:

“Minimum Age Limit For Renters : If you are coming to NYC for a big party weekend, this is probably not your place. I have fabulous neighbors and there is a great, great staff and take great care to not rock the apple cart.”

http://www.vrbo.com/216973

Another bite at the cherry

Posted: December 12, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: ACTION, apple, bite, cherry, FOOD | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

This malaphor was heard last night by Mike Browning while listening to a Washington Wizards basketball game.  The play by play announcer, Dave Johnson, said this: “… Crawford grabs the rebound, and the Wizards get another bite at the cherry.”  Given the context, this is a mash up of “another bite at the apple” and “cherry-picking”, the latter a term used in basketball.   “A bite of the cherry” is apparently an Australian and British expression meaning “being a part of something good”, but I don’t think Dave Johnson is Australian or British.

Another shot at the apple

Posted: November 10, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: FOOD | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

I heard this one from a good friend while he was teaching.  He told the student, after answering the question incorrectly, “I’ll give you another shot at the apple.”   This is a mash up of  “another shot” and “a second bite at the apple”, both meaning a second try or chance.  My guess is that the speaker, at the moment he said the malaphor, also had a mental picture of William Tell.  Who knows what lurks in the subconscious?