They put me through hoops and ladders

Posted: August 19, 2019 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment
A baker was referring to the health department inspection and uttered this mixup.  It is a conflation of “”jump through hoops” (force someone to face challenges) and “put (someone) through the wringer” (force someone to endure harsh criticism).  Both phrases involve requiring a person to do something, in this case a health department inspection, and both share the word “through”.  The speaker was also probably conjuring up in his mind the game “Chutes and Ladders”.  Kudos to Sam Edelmann who overheard this gem.

We’ve jumped over the last hoop

Posted: January 23, 2018 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hoops and hurdles seem to confound folks, given the many malaphors posted involving these words.  This one was uttered by a film producer exclaiming that the last legal step was completed in order to distribute a film.  It is a nice congruent conflation of “jumping through hoops” and “clearing a hurdle”, both meaning to overcome obstacles to achieve a goal.  This one is similar to “we still have a lot of hurdles to jump through (https://malaphors.com/2013/08/05/we-still-have-a-lot-of-hurdles-to-jump-through/) and “we have so many hurdles to cross” (https://malaphors.com/2014/02/15/we-have-so-many-hurdles-to-cross/)  And who can forget “he bent over hoops for me” (https://malaphors.com/2016/02/19/he-bent-over-hoops-for-me/).   By the way, the speaker was Tom W. Metz III, who is currently producing his first full length picture, 30 Nights!  Check it out @30NightsMovie.  A big thanks to Lou Pugliese for hearing this one and sharing it.

He bent over hoops for me

Posted: February 19, 2016 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Now that’s impressive!  This ditty was overheard at a benefits hearing where the claimant was referring to someone who was assisting her.  It is a congruent conflation of “jump through hoops” and “bend over backwards”, both meaning to do everything possible to please someone or accomplish something.  Bending over hoops is probably the ultimate in pleasing someone.  The mix up is caused, I think, by the action words bend and jump, and by the similar meanings of the phrases.  A shout out to Sam Edelmann who heard this one and passed it along.

And I’ve only jumped through the first one of these hurdles

Posted: April 25, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: ACTION, hoops, hurdles, jump, THINGS | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

This malaphor is similar to my posting of August 5, 2013 but bears repeating.  This is a wonderful mix of “jump through hoops” (do everything possible to please or obey someone) and “clear a hurdle” (overcome an obstacle).  The confusion lies with hoops and hurdles, things you jump through and jump over.  It was spoken by Chelsea Manning (formerly Bradley Manning) on announcing her name change.  Here is the context:

“Unfortunately, the trans* community faces three major obstacles to living a normal life in America: identity documentation, gender segregated institutions, and access to healthcare. And I’ve only just jumped through the first one of these hurdles.”

http://www.chelseamanning.org/featured/chelsea-mannings-statement-on-her-legal-name-change

Many thanks to Guy Patterson for spotting this malaphor!

How Chelsea Manning sees herself -portrait by Alicia Neal

 

 

 

We have so many hurdles to cross

Posted: February 15, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: hoops, hurdles, PLACES, river, THINGS | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

This is a mash up of “clear a hurdle” (overcome an obstacle) and I think “rivers to cross” , borrowed from the great Jimmy Cliff song “Many Rivers to Cross”, based on the context of the malaphor.   “Crossed the Rubicon” (taken action with no return) also comes to mind.  “Jumping through hoops” (to do extra things to get what you want) might also be in the mix, confusing hoops and hurdles.  Thanks to Sam Edelmann for spotting this one!

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/12/sports/football/for-nfl-prospect-michael-sam-upbringing-was-bigger-challenge-than-coming-out-as-gay.html?_r=3

 

Jimmy Cliff. | reggae singles sleeves

we still have a lot of hurdles to jump through

Posted: August 5, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: hoops, hurdles, jump | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

This is a wonderful mix of “jump through hoops” (do everything possible to please or obey someone) and “clear a hurdle” (overcome an obstacle).  The confusion lies with hoops and hurdles, things you jump through and jump over.  It was caught by Deb Rose as she was listening to NPR.  The speaker was talking about legalizing marijuana, the possible business opportunities it might inspire, and the logistics of making that happen.  He said, “we still have a lot of hurdles to jump through.”  Yeah right.  ‘Nuff said.