Now we’ve got to flush out the skeleton
Posted: September 12, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, BODY PARTS | Tags: blended idioms, expressions, flesh out p, flush out, malaphors, mixed idioms, words 5 CommentsHeard at a meeting 25 years ago, it still plays well today. Actually, this is a fairly common malaphor, as flush is often used for flesh and vice versa. This is a mix-up of “flesh something out” (make something bigger or more detailed) and “flush something out” (to make something more obvious or force something out of hiding).
The white elephant in the room
Posted: September 6, 2012 Filed under: ANIMALS, COLORS, PLACES | Tags: blended idioms, elephant, elephant in the room, expressions, malaphors, mixed idioms, white elephant, words 2 CommentsThis little ditty was spoken at a meeting last week all the way from Afghanistan. It is a mash up of “elephant in the room” (obvious truth that is either being ignored or going unaddressed) and “white elephant” (a burdensome possession whose costs outweigh its value). The crackerjack research team at Malaphors HQ (my “ol’ pal”) tells me there are few, if any, elephants in Afghanistan, much less white elephants. Tip of the toque to Jim Washabaugh, loyal malaphor follower, for sending me this gem.
He threw a cold shoulder on the idea
Posted: September 5, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, BODY PARTS | Tags: blended idioms, cold shoulder, cold water, expressioins, malaphors, mixed idioms, snub 1 CommentClassic mix-up of “threw cold water on” (negative about something) and “turn a cold shoulder” (snub someone). Both expressions indicate negativity; “cold water” is negativity toward something and “cold shoulder” negativity toward someone. In this case, perhaps the speaker not only disliked the idea but the person expressing the idea as well?
They were raking him over the ropes
Posted: September 4, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, THINGS | Tags: blended idioms, expressions, malaphors, mixed idioms, raking over the coals, ropes, words Leave a commentThis is a mash up of “raking over the coals” (reprimand severely) and “on the ropes” (about to or likely to fail). While both phrases have different meanings, they both describe a bad situation for someone. Also coals and ropes are four letter words and both have the same vowel sounds (assonance) which could have led to the confusion.
She’s flying against the current
Posted: September 3, 2012 Filed under: ACTION | Tags: blended idioms, current, expressions, fly, malaphors, mixed idioms, swim, words Leave a commentI heard this one at a meeting. My guess is that the speaker was thinking of the phrases “swimming against the current” (go against prevailing thought or opinion) and “off to a flying start” (good beginning), both indicating movement. He may also have been thinking of the difficulty flying through wind currents. Then again, as in many blended idiom mix-ups, the speaker probably forgot or did not know the accepted idiom.
He’s feathering his own pockets
Posted: September 2, 2012 Filed under: ANIMALS, CLOTHING | Tags: blended idioms, expressions, feather, malaphors, mixed idioms, nest, pockets, words Leave a commentThis is a mixture of “feathering your own nest” and “lining your pockets”, both sayings meaning making lots of money, sometimes illegally, at the expense of others or disregard for others. This malaphor might be an improvement over both sayings.
I let it roll over my head
Posted: September 1, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, BODY PARTS | Tags: blended idioms, expressions, head, malaphors, mixed idioms, roll over, words Leave a commentThis seems to be a blend of “let it roll off my back” (not to worry about something done or said) and “roll over” (acquiesce to), both indicating passivity. The speaker may have confused the anatomy (back and head) which seems to be common in malaphors. Also the two confused words are four letter words. The phrase “roll with the punches” (go along with the program) also could have been in the subconscious as it is another phrase involving passivity or acquiescence.
Don’t get your nose in an uproar
Posted: August 31, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, BODY PARTS | Tags: blended idioms, bowels in an uproar, expressions, malaphors, mixed idioms, nose, words Leave a commentThis is a mash up of “nose out of joint” (hurt feelings or plans upset) and “don’t get your bowels in an uproar” (overly anxious or excited), with the speaker replacing “bowels” with “nose”. Both idioms indicate extreme emotion and facial expression which may have added to the confusion. Oh, and the confused words, “bowels” and “nose”, both smell.
He who laughs first, laughs last
Posted: August 30, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, TIME | Tags: blended idioms, expressions, laughs, malaphors, mixed idioms, revenge, words 2 CommentsReally? But yes, it is true as I heard this gem from “the master’s” lips many years ago. I think it is a mix up of “gets the last laugh” and “he who laughs first, laughs longest”, both meaning to exact revenge on someone. In context revenge was what “the master” was talking about, but perhaps in a subtle way he was waxing philosophically regarding the meaning of life. Enjoy it thoroughly all the time?
You hit it right on the nail
Posted: August 29, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, BODY PARTS, THINGS | Tags: blended idioms, expressions, malaphors, mixed idioms, nail, words 1 CommentI heard this one at a meeting last night. The speaker, a flashy guy in his early 30s or late 20s, was probably mixing “you hit the nail on the head”(got something exactly right) with “you got that right”. It is also possible that he was thinking “right on” when he was speaking but that expression is more familiar to my generation. Malaphors are instantly recognizable but quickly forgotten, so a big “thank you” to my friend Mike (who was sitting next to me) for writing this one down at that moment.
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