I’m at my loose ends
Posted: February 4, 2018 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: at loose ends, at my wit's end, expressions, humor, malaphor, malaphors, words 1 CommentThis one is very subtle, as it is a conflation of “at loose ends” (uneasy) and “at my wit’s end” (in a state of distress where patience has been lost). Both idioms are very similar sounding, but only one as the word “my” in it. A big thanks to Lisa Simpson for hearing this one and sending it in to the Malaphors page on Facebook. Join the page today!
This is a song about a woman who’s at her rope’s edge
Posted: August 31, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: at my wit's end, at the end of my rope, driven to the edge, expressions, humor, language, malaphor, malaphors, pushed over the edge, words, writing.rocks 2 CommentsThis malaphor was heard at a concert. It is a mash up of “at the end of one’s rope” and “pushed over the edge” (an unpleasant event makes someone behave in a crazy way). “Wit’s end” may also be in the mix. “Drive someone to the edge/brink” (to make someone almost insane) also comes to mind. End and edge are similar sounding words, adding to the confusion. A big thanks to Marcia R. Johnston for hearing this one and sending it in. As Marcia writes:
“Apparently, the song pushed her to the edge, where she found the end of her rope. And given the syntax, it seems that she was at her wit’s end as well. Poor soul!”
By the way, Marcia has a great website – writing.rocks – filled with wordplay, contests, etc. Check it out!
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