We have to keep our finger on the ball
Posted: March 23, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: congruent conflation, expressions, eyes on the ball, finger on the pulse, humor, language, malaphor, malaphors, mixed idioms, words 4 CommentsThis beauty was heard on a conference call by Gary Kelly, a faithful malaphor follower. It is a congruent conflation of “finger on the pulse” and “eyes on the ball”, both involving attention and monitoring something. The mash up also conjures up the image of Lucy keeping her finger on the football and letting go just as Charlie Brown goes to kick it. This is another malaphor mixing body parts, something that seems to happen frequently. A big thanks to Gary Kelly!
He pulled the wool out from under me
Posted: March 21, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: expressions, humor, language, malaphor, malaphors, mixed idioms, pull the rug out from under him, pull the wool over his eyes, rug, wool, words 1 CommentThis is a classic, perfectly formed malaphor, as it confuses two similar sounding idioms – “pull the wool over his eyes” (to deceive someone) and “pull the rug (out) from under him” (suddently take away help or support from someone). Both phrases have the word “pull” in them, and both have direction – over and under. Also adding to the mix is the combination of wool and rug – a wool rug. A big thanks to the sharp ears of Sam Edelmann, who heard this one and passed it on.
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!
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!
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!
Don’t get your panties in a ringer
Posted: January 10, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Chris Christie, Dallas Cowboys, expressions, humor, language, malaphor, malaphors, mixed idioms, panties in a bunch, panties in a twist, tits in a wringer, Todd Christie, words Leave a commentThis descriptive malaphor was written by Todd Christie, the brother of NJ Governor Chris Christie, in a Facebook post, reacting to people commenting on the Governor celebrating the Dallas Cowboys playoff win with Jerry Jones in his box suite. It is a mash up of the expressions “don’t get your tit in a wringer” (don’t get in trouble) and “don’t get your panties (knickers) in a twist (bunch)” (don’t get upset over a trivial matter):
Christie’s brother, Todd, took to Facebook to defend the governor, blasting the “non Cowboy fans who have their panties in a ringer” and urging people to “get a life.”
Thanks to Steve Grieme (two in one week!) for catching this one on CBS This Morning last week.
This hits the ticket!
Posted: January 3, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: congruent conflations, expressions, hits the spot, humor, just the ticket, language, malaphor, malaphors, mixed idioms, that's the ticket, words Leave a commentThe speaker uttered this beauty after being served a very nice sandwich. This is a great example of a congruent conflation – a type of malaphor mixing two or more phrases with the same or similar meaning. “Hits the spot” and “just(that’s) the ticket” are in play here, both meaning to be exactly right. The congruent conflated malaphors are particularly good, as they sound somewhat correct and evoke a mental double take. A shout out to Marcia Riefer Johnston for hearing this one and passing it on.
I’m not going to carry your wagon anymore
Posted: January 2, 2015 Filed under: carry, wagon | Tags: carry your own weight, expressions, fix your wagon, humor, language, malaphor, malaphors, mixed idioms, words 5 CommentsThe first malaphor of 2015, a speaker replaced the word weight with wagon and unintentionally created this mix of “carry your own weight” (do your share) and “fix your wagon” (to punish or get even with someone). Both phrases include words the begin with W, probably contributing to the confusion. Could “hitch your wagon to a star” (aspiring to do great things) be in the mix as well? Thanks to John Costello for sending this one in.
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