The snow day threw a loop into things
Posted: February 28, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: expressions, humor, language, malaphor, malaphors, threw him for a loop, throw a monkey wrench in to the works, words Leave a commentThe speaker was giving a reason for postponing a task. This is a mash up of “throw a monkey wrench into the works” (cause problems for someone’s plans) and “throw (someone) for a loop” (cause surprise or confusion). “Throw” is the common denominator and probably led to the confusion. I must admit I act a little loopy on snow days. Thanks to Marcia Riefer Johnston for sending this one in!
This is still the land of the red, white, and blue
Posted: February 24, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: and blue, expressions, home of the brave, humor, John Ventimiglia, land of the free, language, Law and Order, malaphor, malaphors, Sopranos, three cheers for the red, white, words Leave a comment
We are going to close some ground
Posted: February 21, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: closing the gap, expressions, gaining ground, humor, language, malaphor, malaphors, mixed idioms, words 1 CommentThis very subtle malaphor was heard on a conference call. The speaker was indicating that the backlog was starting to get smaller. This is a mixture of “gaining ground” and “closing the gap”, both meaning to make progress. “Close in” might also be in the mix. From a quick internet search, this malaphor appears to be a common one. Thanks to Sandy Shultis for sending this one in!
Too many eggs spoil the soup
Posted: February 19, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: expressions, humor, language, malaphor, malaphors, put all your eggs in one basket, too many cooks spoil the broth, words Leave a commentThe speaker was talking about limiting the number of people doing a particular function so it could work better. This appears to be a mix of “too many cooks spoil the broth” (too many people involved in an activity can ruin it) and “put all your eggs in one basket” (make everything dependent on one thing). Soup is also broth so I think that is where the word broth comes from. There is also egg soup which the speaker may have been thinking about. He may also have been simultaneously thinking how all the people involved were good eggs. A big thank you to Susan Edwards for hearing this one!
I’m getting the shaft end of the stick
Posted: February 15, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: expressions, getting the shaft, humor, language, malaphor, malaphors, mixed idioms, short end of the stick, words 2 CommentsDuring a game of spades, the speaker uttered this gem in response to receiving a bad hand. This is a mash up of “getting the shaft” (to be cheated or mistreated) and “the short end of the stick” (receiving the smaller or less desirable part). I particularly like this one, as short and shaft have the same number of letters and begin with sh. Also, a shaft is also part of a stick, such as hockey sticks. Perhaps this is a hockey expression (or should be?)? I say the speaker should have two minutes in the penalty box. A tip of the toque to Adam Jacob for hearing this one and sending it in!
Read my words: Houston does not get out of the first round this year.
Posted: February 13, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: congruent conflation, expressions, humor, language, malaphor, malaphors, mark my words, read my lips, words Leave a commentIn a discussion about the NBA, this speaker uttered a malaphor that harkens back to the George H.W. Bush era. This is a nice congruent conflation of “mark my words” and “read my lips”, both expressions meaning to pay attention to what I say. Another winner brought to you by Katie Hatfield!
The fence is always greener on the other side
Posted: February 11, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: expressions, humor, language, malaphor, malaphors, mixed idioms, on the fence, the grass is always greener on the other side, words 3 CommentsThe speaker was talking about clubs with problems that look at other clubs and assume everything is going smoothly. This is a mash up of “the grass is always greener on the other side” (other people seem to be in a better situation than you, although that might not be the case) and maybe “on the fence” (undecided). A shout out to Daniel Mustard for sending this one in! Daniel needs to ketch up and send in more malaphors.
The jury’s still on the fence
Posted: February 8, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: expressions, humor, jury is still out, language, malaphor, malaphors, mixed idioms, on the fence, words Leave a commentThis was heard during a discussion about a type of severe acute malnutrition and whether or not it is caused by protein imbalance. This is a mash up of “the jury is still out” (a decision has not been reached yet) and “on the fence” (undecided about something). Thanks to Katie Hatfield for hearing this one in class and passing it on!
It’s just putty around my fingers
Posted: January 15, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: congruent conflation, expressions, humor, language, malaphor, malaphors, putty in my hand, words, wrapped around my little finger Leave a commentThis is another malaphor uttered by Jack de Golia’s wife. It appears to be a congruent conflation of “wrapped around my little finger” and “putty in my hands”, both describing someone easily manipulated or controlled. Both phrases are usually describing a person rather than a thing, so not sure what Ms. De Golia was referring to. Again, idioms referring to body parts are frequently mixed up in the clutter of our minds. Thanks Jack for sending this one in!
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