We’ll burn that bridge when we come to it
Posted: January 17, 2013 Filed under: ACTION, bridge, burn, THINGS | Tags: blended idioms, bridgei, burn, burn your bridges, cross that bridge when we come to it, expressions, humor, Jimmy Buffett, language, malaphors, mixed idioms, words 3 CommentsThis malaphor, popularized by Jimmy Buffett, is a mash up of “we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it” (don’t worry about something that has not happened) and “burn your bridges” (permanently end relationships).
“Burn That Bridge”
But your love is something new
When I hold you we’re swaying in the wind
Of all the bridges I’ve ever crossed
High and lonesome and wild and lost
I feel this time I’ll take it to the end
We don’t care what the people may say
If there’s a price it’s the price we’ll pay
[Chorus:]
And we’ll burn that bridge when we come to it
Burn that bridge when we come to it
Burn that bridge when we come to it
Burn it down
Burn it down
We’ve both done our share of runnin’ around
Now we know enough to know the kind of love
we’ve found
It’s the real thing and we’ve got to see it through
I’m a singer and a sailor on a midnight sea
Oh captain come and take me on your fantasy
If we’re crazy that ain’t nothin’ new
‘Cause we don’t care what the people may say
If there’s a price it’s the price we’ll pay and
[Chorus]
Who knows how it started
Who knows it’s ends
The point of no return is waiting
just around the bend
[Chorus]
It takes a lot to take the air out of my sails
Posted: January 13, 2013 Filed under: sails, THINGS | Tags: air out of my tires, blended idioms, expressions, language, linguistics, malaphors, mixed idioms, sailst, tires, wind, wind out of my sails, wordplay, words Leave a commentThis was uttered by a guy who was frustrated by a spin class:
Maybe I Signed Up for Karaoke Instead of Spin by Accident?
It takes a lot to take the air out of my sails, but an unimpressive spin class will do that to me right quick. I actually felt bad that I’d made a friend come with me to this class because it was a pretty uninspiring way to spend 45 minutes. I have a limited amount of time to dedicate to my fitness regime: I don’t have time to ef around like this…
This is a mash up of “take the wind out of my sails” (feel less confident) and “let the air out of my tires” (make someone depressed). I think he meant the latter. See also a previous malaphor – “he took the thunder out of my sails”.
He doesn’t want to appear to be pushing on anyone’s toes
Posted: January 12, 2013 Filed under: ACTION, BODY PARTS, push, toes | Tags: blended idioms, expressions, language, linguistics, malaphors, mixed idioms, pushover, stepping on toes, toes, wordplay, words Leave a commentI can’t remember the context of this odd malaphor but it could be a mash up of “stepping on someone’s toes” (offend someone) and possibly “push the envelope” (to go further beyond the accepted limits). However, I think “pushover” (a person easily taken advantage of) or “pushy” (overly forward) is probably what the speaker was thinking of as he might be describing himself as both not offending his audience and taking advantage of them.
Don’t rock the apple cart
Posted: January 10, 2013 Filed under: apple, boat, cart, FOOD, THINGS | Tags: apple, blended idioms, boat, expressions, language, linguistics, malaphors, mixed idioms, rock, rock the boat, upset the apple cart, wordplay, words 1 CommentThis congruent malaphor mixes the similar meaning phrases “upset the apple cart” and “rock the boat”. A good example of the use of this malaphor is in a description of an Upper West Side apartment for rent:
“Minimum Age Limit For Renters : If you are coming to NYC for a big party weekend, this is probably not your place. I have fabulous neighbors and there is a great, great staff and take great care to not rock the apple cart.”
Malaphors 
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