What Is a Malaphor? | Definition & Examples
A malaphor is the unintentional combination of two idioms or clichés. This usually results in a unique, humorous statement that doesn’t make a lot of sense.
You hit the nail on the nose. (“Hit the nail on the head” + “On the nose”)
Don’t burn your bridge at both ends. (“Don’t burn bridges” + “Burn the candle at both ends”)
Some malaphors have been repeated so many times that they’ve become as popular as the original idioms they are derived from (e.g., “She’s walking a thin line”).
What is a malaphor?
A malaphor can be defined as a blend of two phrases or idioms into one, such as “I can read her like the back of my book” (“I can read her like a book” + “I know her like the back of my hand”).
The origin of the word “malaphor” can be traced to 1976, when a writer named Lawrence Harrison coined the term in a Washington Post article entitled “Searching for Malaphors.” The word itself is a portmanteau of “aphorism” and “malapropism.”
Malaphor examples
Because malaphors are unintentional, a lot of examples can be found in pop culture. They often occur when a person is speaking, but they can be found in writing as well.
Funny malaphor examples
In 2013, Yahoo published an article entitled, “Top 5 ways for families to survive the Recession.” In it, they created a malaphor that combined “scratch the surface” and “the tip of the iceberg.”
In a 2013 news conference, US President Obama combined “Jedi mind tricks” and “Vulcan mind melds,” causing an outcry from fans of both the Star Wars and Star Trek franchises.
Malaphor vs malapropism
Malaphors and malapropisms are often confused, but there’s a distinct difference:
- A malaphor refers to the accidental blending of two idioms.
- A malapropism refers to the accidental replacement of one word with a similar-sounding word that has an entirely different meaning.
- Malaphor: That’s no shirt off my nose.
- This phrase is a malaphor because it blends “that’s no skin off my nose” and “give the shirt off my back.”
- Malapropism: He was a man of great statue.
- This phrase is a malapropism because the correct word (stature) was replaced with the similar-sounding word “statue.”
Frequently asked questions about malaphors
- What is the difference between a malaphor and a mixed metaphor?
-
A malaphor unintentionally combines two idioms or clichés, whereas mixed metaphors combine two metaphors to create an illogical comparison. Mixed metaphors can be created on purpose or by accident.
