They’ve kicked this one down the can many times

Posted: December 16, 2024 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Larry Richert, Pittsburgh radio talk show host of the “KDKA Morning Show with Larry Richert”, was talking about the budget talks and another continuing resolution due date. Regarding Congress actually voting to pass a budget, Richert said “they’ve kicked this one down the can so many times.” This is a mashup of “kick the can down the road” (defer or postpone a definitive action) and “down the line” (in the future). Both phrases involve something done in the future, hence the mental mixup.

A tip of the toque to Katie Minnock for hearing this one and sending it in!

It will be a smooth breeze

Posted: November 22, 2024 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pittsburgh traffic report on KDKA: John Shumway was talking about an accident which was backing up traffic, but that once you got by the accident driving “will be a smooth breeze”. This is a congruent conflation of “smooth sailing” and “a breeze”, both meaning easy progress without difficulty or impediment.

A big thanks to Dan Geier for hearing this one and sending it in!

It’s as clear as a bone this morning

Posted: September 22, 2016 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

That was the weather report from local channel KDKA in Pittsburgh yesterday.  This is a mash up of “as dry as a bone” (extremely dry) and “clear as a bell” (very clear).  The weatherman was discussing a very clear and dry (little humidity) day and managed to describe both in one nice malaphor!  I think this should be in our standard lexicon to describe those beautiful clear, dry days, don’t you?  Hats off to Bill Shaffer who heard this beauty.

clear-bone