They make you jump through too much red tape
Posted: February 15, 2018 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: expressions, idioms, jumping through hoops, malaphor, malaphors, red tape, words Leave a commentThe speaker was referring to insurance companies. This is a nice mix of “jump through hoops” (to complete or face many challenges to achieve something) and “red tape” (bureaucratic rules that are overly strict or tedious). Both expressions refer to a series of challenges or events, contributing to the confusion. “Cutting through red tape” is what the speaker really wants. A big thanks to John Kooser for uttering this one and sending it in.
Can someone help us without going through all these hoops and whistles?
Posted: September 11, 2016 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: bells and whistles, expressions, humor, jumping through hoops, language, malaphor, malaphors, words 1 CommentIt’s hard to keep track these days of all those bells, hoops, whistles, and hurdles. This gem was written in an email expressing frustration. It is a mash up of “jumping through hoops” (having to do extra things in order to do something you want) and “bells and whistles” (fancy add-ons or gadgets). Both phrases refer to “extra things” which I think is the cause of the conflation. Also, perhaps the writer had an image of a dog jumping through a hoop, and being trained by a whistle? A tip of the hat to Paula Fow Atchison, who saw this one and passed it on.
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