You have to be on your P’s and Q’s
Posted: December 2, 2014 Filed under: BODY PARTS, toes | Tags: expressions, humor, Ike Taylor, language, malaphor, malaphors, mind your p's and q's, on your toes, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh Steelers, words Leave a commentIke Taylor, a cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, was overheard saying:
“With a future Hall of Fame quarterback like Drew Brees, man, you have to be on your P’s and Q’s. He’s the captain of that team and it showed today. If he sees something, he’s going to hit it. He doesn’t miss a lot. Regardless of how much you feel like you’ve got him rattled, he stays in the pocket. He did what he needed to do today.”
This is an excellent malaphor, mixing “on your toes” (stay alert) and “mind your P’s and Q’s” (pay careful attention to one’s behavior). A big thank you to me for reading this in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
I think it’s time he laid down the torch
Posted: November 17, 2013 Filed under: gauntlet, THINGS, torch | Tags: blended idioms, carry the torch, Dick LeBeau, expressions, humor, language, lay down the law, malaphors, mixed idioms, Pittsburgh Steelers, throw down the gauntlet, words 2 Comments
English: Dick Lebeau with Mr. and Mrs. John Mitchell (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
This was uttered near the end of the first half of the Steelers/Lions game, and was directed at Dick LeBeau, the Steelers’ defensive coach. Considering the context (Steelers blowing a lead and the defense not playing well), I believe this is a mash up of “lay down the law” (to scold someone) and “carry the torch” (to lead or participate). “Throw down the gauntlet” (to challenge someone) might also be in the mix. Thanks to Kevin Hatfield for hearing this one and sending it in!
We’ll drop a line in the water and see what sticks
Posted: September 9, 2013 Filed under: ACTION, drop, FOOD, water | Tags: blended idioms, dip a toe in the water, expressions, humor, language, make it stick, malaphors, Mike Tomlin, mixed idioms, Pittsburgh Steelers, Running back, words Leave a comment
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin – September 16, 2007 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
This jumble was apparently uttered by Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin a few weeks ago in response to the running backs situation. It is a mash up of “dip a toe in the water” (to test or try out something) and “make (something) stick” (to cause to be accepted). “Throw dirt enough and some will stick” might also be in the equation. Given the Steelers first performance, apparently the line was made of teflon. Thanks to Dan Geier for overhearing this one on the radio.
Malaphors 
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