phrases, sayings, idioms and expressions at

Mixing phrases

Posted by Dorothy on July 26, 2001

In Reply to: Mixing phrases posted by Vic Pelech on July 22, 2001

: : : : : :
: : : : : : : : : Let sleeping giants lie.

: : : : : : : : : Up a gum tree without a paddle.

: : : : : : : : : What is the name for these mixed up phrases?

: : : : : : : : You've buttered your bread, now sleep in it.

: : : : : : Those are pretty good ones.

: : : : : : Here's one I heard: "It doesn't take a rocket surgeon to understand that."

: : : : : That's funny! I can't wait to use that one.
: : : : Years ago (maybe late '40s early '50s) there was a radio program called the Easy Aces. Goodwin Ace and his wife were the hosts. Goody Ace (a comedy writer) invented a bunch of similar phrases which became known as Ace-isms, if I remember correctly. I looked all over the internet to see if there was a site devoted to him/them, but I've been unable to find one. Perhaps someone has some better reference? (One I remember: "he was running around like a chicken with its hat off.") Anybody remember more? He used to write an occasional humor column for the old Saturday Review of Literature.

: : : Here's one I use: It's 6 1/2 of one, and half a baker's dozen of the other.

: : And so I thought, perhaps, "The hole, nine yards down" is where we should bury this one.

Somehow this sounds more like things Gracie Allen would say to her husband George Burns in their stand-up routine. Say Goodnight Gracie!

© 1997 – 2024 Phrases.org.uk. All rights reserved.