Can someone help us without going through all these hoops and whistles?
Posted: September 11, 2016 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: bells and whistles, expressions, humor, jumping through hoops, language, malaphor, malaphors, words 1 CommentIt’s hard to keep track these days of all those bells, hoops, whistles, and hurdles. This gem was written in an email expressing frustration. It is a mash up of “jumping through hoops” (having to do extra things in order to do something you want) and “bells and whistles” (fancy add-ons or gadgets). Both phrases refer to “extra things” which I think is the cause of the conflation. Also, perhaps the writer had an image of a dog jumping through a hoop, and being trained by a whistle? A tip of the hat to Paula Fow Atchison, who saw this one and passed it on.
It hit all the bells
Posted: June 4, 2016 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: bells and whistles, expressions, hit all the right notes, hit the bullseye, hit the spot, humor, language, malaphor, malaphors, words Leave a commentThis gem was heard on the PBS Antiques Road Show (Cleveland show). The appraiser was discussing an item that was perfect, and that “hit all the bells.” This is a mash up of “hit all the right notes” (suitable and has a good effect) and “all the bells and whistles” (extra, fancy gadgets and add-ons). “Hit the spot” and “hit the bulls-eye” also may be in play. The malaphor may conjure up the image of a person hitting a glockenspiel or bells in an orchestra, but as a Steeler fan all I can see is the brutal hit on LeVeon Bell last fall. A big thank you to John Hatfield for hearing this one and sending it in!
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