Not a dry tear in the room
Posted: December 7, 2012 Filed under: BODY PARTS, eye, tears | Tags: blended idioms, expressions, eye, malaphors, mixed idioms, not a dry eye, tear, words Leave a commentThis mixes “not a dry eye” (everyone crying from something emotional) and possibly “not shed a tear”(not showing emotion even though something is sad). “Move to tears” and “end in tears” also could be in play here. Of course, the speaker is thinking crying so naturally the word “tears” wells up in his mind. A big thank you to Vic for sharing this. It was spoken by a friend that was in charge of the sound board during the 60th birthday celebration of his pastor’s wife.
Keep an ear to the grindstone
Posted: December 1, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, BODY PARTS, ear, grindstone, nose, THINGS | Tags: blended idioms, ear, expressions, grindstone, keep an ear to the ground, malaphors, mixed idioms, nose, words 4 CommentsThis one is similar to an earlier malaphor, “put your shoulder to the grindstone” (posted July 20, 2012 – see body parts in index), except it mixes “keep an ear to the ground” (devote attention to watching or listening to clues) and “keep your nose to the grindstone” (work hard and constantly). While these two idioms have different meanings, they both express diligence in an action. They also both have the word “keep” in them. Finally, adding to the confusion are the use of body parts. Body parts are a common source of confusion for some reason, particularly if they are in close proximity – in this case, ears and noses. An amusing aside – I heard this one from a supervisor who was giving me advice.
Nip that in the butt
Posted: November 29, 2012 Filed under: BODY PARTS, bud, butt | Tags: blended idioms, expressions, kick in the butt, malaphors, malaprop, mixed idioms, nip in the bud, words Leave a commentWhile this can be classified as a malaprop (inadvertent substitution of a word with a strong phonetic similarity), it can also be considered a bona fide malaphor, mixing “nip it in the bud” (put a stop to something in its early development) and “kick in the butt” (forceful encouragement). I have heard this idiom misused often by younger people, so my guess is that it is probably a phrase that has mutated from the past generation (mine) to the current one. Another example is the phrase “buck naked”, mutating to the current “butt naked”. Still another is the word “moot” to “mute”, as in “that’s a mute point”. Am I correct, or am I just turning into a grouchy old man?
A big thanks to Judge Yvonne for sending this one in.
He led me on a blind goose chase
Posted: November 28, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, alley, ANIMALS, goose, PLACES | Tags: blended idioms, blind alley, expressions, futile pursuits, malaphors, mixed idioms, wild goose chase, words 2 CommentsThis is a mash up of “down a blind alley” and “led on a wild goose chase”, both meaning an unproductive or futile pursuit. Blind and wild are similar sounding words, so the brain chose the wrong swirling fragment. This seems to be a common malaphor, based on the many internet hits. Reminds me of the proverb: A blind goose is as good as a deaf duck (ok, I made that up – just trying to be a wise quacker).
He’s out to butter his own nest
Posted: November 27, 2012 Filed under: ANIMALS, bread, butter, FOOD, nest, PLACES, THINGS | Tags: blended idioms, bread and butter, expressioins, feather, feather your own next, know which side your bread is buttered on, malaphors, mixed idioms, words 3 Comments
English: A pat of butter, served on a leaf, with a butter knife and bread (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
This slippery malaphor is a mash up of “feather your own nest” (use power and prestige to one’s advantage selfishly) and perhaps “know which side your bread is buttered on” (to be loyal to the person who will benefit you the most). “Bread and butter” (someone’s livelihood or source of income) could also be a player here. There is also an Hungarian expression -több mindent jelenthet – roughly translated “butter one’s bread on both sides” and meaning leaving nothing for others to argue or complain. My ol’ pal indicates “buttering your own bread” (using power to gain income selfishly) may also be part of this mix up.
They threw a bullet in their foot
Posted: November 26, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, BODY PARTS, bullet, foot, THINGS, throw | Tags: blended idioms, dodge a bullet, expressions, foot, malaphors, mixed idioms, shoot yourself in the foot, steelers football, steelers radio, tunch ilkin, words 2 CommentsThis tortured malaphor was spoken by Tunch Ilkin on Steelers radio yesterday during the Steelers/Browns football game. Tunch is a wonderful commentator and ex-Steeler, and is known for his colorful language describing Steelers games. This time he seemed to have several thoughts buzzing through his head, as he wanted to say, that the Steelers had “shot themselves in the foot” (do something that causes problems for yourself), given that a seventh turnover had just been committed. Perhaps the shooting idea conjured up bullets and the phrase “dodge a bullet” (evaded something) or “took a bullet” (sacrificed), both meaning the opposite of what he wanted to say. The “threw” part of the phrase was the errant pass by the quarterback, resulting in an interception.
Sports media is a treasure trove of malaphors, many of which have been repeated on this website. A big thank you to my wife for hearing this gem on her way home from Costco!
He kept pushing my strings
Posted: November 24, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, CLOTHING, pull, push, strings, THINGS | Tags: blended idioms, expressions, malaphors, mixed idioms, pulling strings, pushing his buttons, words Leave a commentPush or pull? Buttons or strings? Oh, the mind twists and turns in mysterious ways, particularly as one grows older. I heard myself saying this one awhile back. This is a confused conflation of “pushing his buttons” (knowing ways to make a person angry) and “pulling strings” (“to use influence to get something done”). Of course, I am sure Pinocchio must have said this at some point to Geppetto.
Cover of Geppetto
When in Vegas…
Posted: November 23, 2012 Filed under: PLACES, Rome, Vegas | Tags: blended idioms, expressions, malaphors, mixed idioms, Rome, Vegas, what happens in Vegas, when in Rome, words Leave a comment
English: Vector image of the Las Vegas sign. Português: Imagems vectorial da placa de Las Vegas. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
This is a subtle mash up of “when in Rome” (adapt yourself to the behavior of others or places around you) and “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” (details of a weekend spent away from home not revealed). Thanks to Anna Washabaugh for sending in this one.
the last straw in the coffin
Posted: November 22, 2012 Filed under: coffin, nail, PLACES, straw, THINGS | Tags: blended idioms, conflation, expressions, last straw, malaphors, mixed idioms, nail in the coffin, words 3 CommentsThis is a mash up of “the last straw” and “another nail in the coffin” (both meaning the final problem that will lead to a collapse or end). I saw this one on yardflex.com, which is a website about Jamaican issues:
“All respect to Trinidad, but they own more of the country’s assets than we do, selling them Air Jamaica will now be the last straw in the coffin.”
http://www.yardflex.com/archives/005475.html
I AM the malaphor king, mon.
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