We’re as thick as two thieves in a pod
Posted: November 18, 2019 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: expressions, humor, language, like two peas in a pod, malaphor, malaphors, Scrubs, thick as thieves, words 2 CommentsThis one comes from the tv show Scrubs. While intentional, it’s a classic malaphor and worth posting (although it does go against the rules that the malaphor spoken or written should be unintentional). Still, too good to pass up. It’s a mashup (of course) of “thick as thieves” (a close alliance or friendship) and “like two peas in a pod” (similar interests or beliefs). This one works on many levels – similar idioms, and the rhyme of “peas” and “thieves”. A big thanks to Elly Pietrucha for spotting this one on a rerun.
The doors are closing in
Posted: November 16, 2019 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: doors are closing, Gregory Meeks, humor, idioms, language, malaphors, The Last Word, Trump, walls are closing in Leave a comment
Quid pro quo is one of these things to muddy the works
Posted: November 11, 2019 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: expressions, gum up the works, humor, Jim Himes, language, malaphor, malaphors, Meet the Press, muddy the waters, Trump, words Leave a commentThis gem was uttered by Congressman Jim Himes (D-CT) yesterday on Meet the Press, talking about the Trump impeachment inquiry. It is a mashup of “muddy the waters” (to make a situation less clear) and “gum up the works” (to interfere with the proper functioning of something). Both expressions refer to degrading something, and “works” and “waters” might have been jumbled by the phrase “water works”? A big shout out to Bruce Ryan who heard this one and passed it on. @jahimes @MeetThePress
You can hear this malaphor just about at the beginning of the video:
The top kahuna, Donald Trump
Posted: November 7, 2019 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: big kahuna, humor, language, malaphor, Nick Akerman, top dog, Trump Leave a comment
You dance with the devil you came with
Posted: November 4, 2019 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: dance with death, dance with the devil, dance with the one who brought you, humor, idioms, Ike Reese, language, malaphor, Shania Twain, WIP Leave a comment
The book is running away from the charts
Posted: November 2, 2019 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: expressions, humor, language, malaphor, malaphors, off the charts, ran away with, words Leave a commentA TV host was interviewing an author, and commenting on the author’s successful book (on the NY Times bestseller list). This seems to be a mashup of “run away with” (win handily) and “off the charts” (spectacular). Both phrases refer to something or someone having success, hence the mixup in context. A big thanks to Verbatim for hearing this one and sending it in.
Speaking of books running away from the charts, check out my malaphor book, “He Smokes Like a Fish and other Malaphors”, available on Amazon. They’re selling like butter! https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692652205
Don’t beat a horse while it’s down
Posted: October 31, 2019 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: beat a dead horse, expressions, horse, humor, kick him while he's down, malaphor, words 2 CommentsIn the seemingly never ending mashups of idioms involving the word “horse”, I give you this latest one, uttered by my grandnephew Nathan Hatfield. His Dad was asking him about a project he was working on. It is a mashup of “Kick (one) when (one) is down” (to criticize someone wh has already suffered a setback) and “beat a dead horse” (to continue to focus or talk about something). Idioms that include the word “horse” are for some reason continually mixed up. See my website and type in “horse”. You will be amazed. A big thanks to John Hatfield III for hearing this one and passing it on!
Why climate change deniers are running out of rope
Posted: October 21, 2019 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: at the end of one's rope, expressions, humor, language, malaphor, on the ropes, running out of time, words Leave a commentThis is actually the title of an article in The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/17/climate-science-deniers-environment-warning
It is a mashup of “running out of time” (to no longer have any time left to finish an activity) and, based on the context, I believe “on the ropes” (close to defeat). “At the end of (one’s) rope” (completely worn out) might also be in the mix as both idioms refer to the end of an activity. A big thanks to John Kooser who spotted this one in plain sight.
They’ll be coming with guns out
Posted: October 19, 2019 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: all guns blazing, expressions, humor, knives out, language, malaphor, words Leave a commentThe speaker (contributor’s mom) was referring to Republicans when she heard that an impeachment inquiry on Trump was starting. This is a mashup of “with all guns blazing” (forcefully and with a strong sense of purpose) and “knives out” (people eager to criticize another). Perhaps in this era “guns out” is more appropriate than knives. A big thanks to Sandor Kovacs who heard this one and passed it on.
He would do fine if he keeps his eyes on the wheel
Posted: October 18, 2019 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: expressions, eyes on the ball, eyes on the prize, humor, malaphor, malaphors, put your shoulder to the wheel s, words Leave a commentThis one was uttered by a witness in a trial. It is a conflation of “keep your eyes on the ball” (stay focused) and I think “put your shoulder to the wheel” (work hard, put an effort into something). Certainly one has to keep their eyes open when driving, but don’t stare at the wheel or you will be in big trouble. Perhaps the speaker was thinking “eyes on the prize”, and the big Wheel of Fortune bubbled up in his brain. Not sure. A big thanks to Tom Justice who heard this one and passed it on.
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