That’s water over the bridge
Posted: August 4, 2012 Filed under: PLACES, THINGS | Tags: blended idioms, bridge, dam, expressions, malaphors, mixed idioms, water, words 2 CommentsThis malaphor is said frequently as it blends two idioms – “water under the bridge” and “water over the dam” – that contain the same word (water) and have the same meaning (past and unchangeable events). Add two words that both describe direction (over and under) and you get a subtle but wonderful malaphor.
They had to pull his arm to compete
Posted: August 3, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, BODY PARTS | Tags: blended idioms, expressions, malaphors, mixed idioms, words 1 CommentJust heard this one from Kevin Hatfield at dinner. In response to whether Michael Phelps will compete in another Olympics, Kevin said, “they had to pull his arm to compete in this one”. It is an excellent malaphor, as it sounds just a little off. It is a combination of “twist his arm’ (beg someone to do something) and “pull my finger” (ask to fart) or “pull my leg” (kidding someone).
I’m going to pull my own load
Posted: August 2, 2012 Filed under: ACTION | Tags: blended idioms, expressions, load, malaphors, mixed idioms, weight, words 1 CommentThis one combines perhaps a few idioms, albeit with different meanings – “pull my own weight” (do your fair share of a task), “load off my mind” (a burden relieved), and “load off my feet” (relax and sit down). Since the words weight and load are similar, the speaker probably just chose the wrong word, resulting in a malaphor which could have interesting connotations.
Don’t run around the bush
Posted: August 1, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, PLACES | Tags: blended idioms, bush, don't run around the bush, expressions, malaphor, mixed idioms, words Leave a commentThis beauty is a mix – up of “don’t beat around the bush” and “don’t give me the run around” , both idioms meaning don’t be so evasive. Because the meanings are very similar, the malaphor is a common one. I have heard it 4 or 5 times over the years. In fact, this one is so subtle that you might miss it when it is uttered.
You’re preaching to the band
Posted: July 22, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, THINGS | Tags: band, choir, expressions, malaphors, mixed idioms, words 2 CommentsThis is a strange malaphor, as the mix-up is not an obvious one – “preaching to the choir” and “jumping on the bandwagon” perhaps? I heard this on tv years ago. Maybe the advent of rock bands in new age churches replacing traditional choirs confused the speaker?
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