Another shot at the apple
Posted: November 10, 2012 Filed under: FOOD | Tags: another shot, apple, blended idioms, expressions, malaphors, mixed idioms, second bite at the apple, William Tell, words Leave a commentI 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?
That’s just blood under the bridge
Posted: November 9, 2012 Filed under: BODY PARTS, THINGS | Tags: blended idioms, expressions, malaphors, mixed idioms, smell blood in the water, water under the bridge, words Leave a commentThis is a mixture of “water under the bridge” (something that has happened that cannot be changed) and I think “blood in the water” (exhibition of weakness from another party in a competitive situation). The speaker wanted to say water under the bridge but perhaps he was still very upset about an outcome he could not change (Karl Rove?).
Read between the covers
Posted: November 8, 2012 Filed under: THINGS | Tags: between the sheets, blended idioms, don't judge a book by its cover, expressions, malaphors, mixed idioms, read between the lines, words 3 CommentsCertainly the speaker meant to say “read between the lines” (to detect a hidden meaning), but apparently was also thinking of either books or beds. If the former, “don’t judge a book by it’s cover” (don’t prejudge something or someone from the outward appearance) comes to mind as books and covers are associated with reading. Also as suggested by my “ol’ pal” “cover to cover” (reading a book in its entirety). However, perhaps the reader was thinking of sleeping or other bedroom activities, conjuring up the slang idiom “between the sheets” (having sex). If so, I hope the speaker was wearing a Freudian slip.
Starting from ground one
Posted: November 7, 2012 Filed under: TIME | Tags: blended idioms, expressions, ground zero, malaphors, mixed idioms, square one, words 1 CommentWonderful mash up of “ground zero” (starting point or central point) and “from square one” (at the beginning or starting point). Both idioms have similar meanings and zero and one are numbers so probably the reasons for the confusion.
Our son was just an apple in our eye
Posted: November 6, 2012 Filed under: BODY PARTS, FOOD | Tags: apple of his eye, blended idioms, expressions, malaphors, mixed idioms, twinkle in his father's eye, words 1 CommentUttered by a high school English teacher. “That was back when our son was just an apple in our eye.” This is a mash up of “twinkle in his father’s eye” (before conception) and “apple of his/her eye” ((someone that is cherished above others). Thanks to Ann H. for hearing and forwarding this one.
He had his head between his legs
Posted: November 5, 2012 Filed under: BODY PARTS | Tags: blended idioms, expressions, heads or tails, malaphors, mixed idioms, tail between his legs, words 4 CommentsWhen I heard this one, naturally I did a double take. The speaker meant to say “tail between his legs” (embarrassed from a loss) but apparently got the wrong part of the anatomy. He may have been thinking “heads or tails” or perhaps “head over heels” (excited), but my guess is that he was thinking “head up his ass” (conceited) considering who he was referring to. Nuff said.
Cut to the crux
Posted: November 4, 2012 Filed under: ACTION | Tags: blended idioms, crux of the matter, cut to the chase, expressions, malaphors, mixed idioms, words 2 CommentsThis classic from the “Master” mixes “cut to the chase” (get to the point) and “crux of the matter” (important point), creating perhaps a better expression as it describes going directly to the important point of a story/problem/issue. The “Master” was indeed ahead of his time, coining this beauty in 1981. Interestingly, a google search of this phrase produced over 5,000 results, making it a commonly used malaphor.
I hit him right between the nose
Posted: November 3, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, BODY PARTS | Tags: blended idioms, expressions, malaphors, mixed idioms, on the nose, right between the eyes, words Leave a commentWonderful mash-up of “right between the eyes” and “on the nose”, both referring to exactitude. Facial features seem to be popular in malaphors….also expressions using animals.
It was nip and go
Posted: November 2, 2012 Filed under: ACTION | Tags: blended idioms, express plastic surgery, expressions, malaphors, mixed idioms, nip and tuck, touch and go, words Leave a commentThis is a wonderful blend of “nip and tuck” (close race) and “touch and go” (dangerous or uncertain). It evokes a race that is close and the outcome uncertain, perhaps like the current presidential race. Then again, it could be describing an express plastic surgery center. I can see it now: “Excess body fat removed in 5 minutes!! Visit your neighborhood Nip and Go Center TODAY!”
Do the science
Posted: November 1, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, THINGS | Tags: blended idioms, do the math, expressions, howard stern, malaphors, mixed idioms, words Leave a commentMalaphor follower Mike K. heard this one on the Howard Stern show a few days ago. A 9/11 conspiracist, taking about the unlikelihood of the “third tower” collapsing at 5pm on 9/11, said “Do the science…” This is probably a mix up of “do the math” (figure it out) and “down to a science” (exactly), but then the caller might be just mixing up his school courses.
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