Mixing phrases

Posted by Joe Pessell on January 18, 2000

In Reply to: Mixing phrases posted by Bob on January 17, 2000

: : :
: : : : : : 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.

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