Mixed Metaphor: Difference between revisions

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* In the novels for [[The Slayers]], Gourry mixed three metaphors together, one of which was a bit of an anachronism.
* In the novels for [[The Slayers]], Gourry mixed three metaphors together, one of which was a bit of an anachronism.
{{quote| '''Gourry''': "I know I'm not the smartest light bulb in the shed."}}
{{quote| '''Gourry''': "I know I'm not the smartest light bulb in the shed."}}
* ''[[The Tower of Druaga (Anime)|The Tower of Druaga]]'', the captain of the army in one of the early episodes:
* ''[[The Tower of Druaga (anime)|The Tower of Druaga]]'', the captain of the army in one of the early episodes:
{{quote| ''[[Other Stock Phrases|Remember, there's no "I" in "win"!]]''}}
{{quote| ''[[Other Stock Phrases|Remember, there's no "I" in "win"!]]''}}


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== Film ==
== Film ==


* From ''[[Airplane! (Film)|Airplane!]]!'': "I guess the foot's on the other hand now!"
* From ''[[Airplane!]]!'': "I guess the foot's on the other hand now!"
* From ''[[Hot Shots]]'' Part Deux: "Looks like the upper hand is on the other foot!"
* From ''[[Hot Shots]]'' Part Deux: "Looks like the upper hand is on the other foot!"
* Similarly, from ''[[The Naked Gun (Film)|The Naked Gun]]'' 2: "Well, it looks like the cows have come home to roost!"
* Similarly, from ''[[The Naked Gun]]'' 2: "Well, it looks like the cows have come home to roost!"
* From the first ''[[Austin Powers]]'' film: "But unfortunately for yours truly, that train had sailed."
* From the first ''[[Austin Powers]]'' film: "But unfortunately for yours truly, that train had sailed."
* Mr. Furious from ''[[Mystery Men]]'' does this a lot, often in conjunction with [[Metaphorgotten]]. "I don't need a compass to show me which way the wind shines."
* Mr. Furious from ''[[Mystery Men]]'' does this a lot, often in conjunction with [[Metaphorgotten]]. "I don't need a compass to show me which way the wind shines."
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* [[Dave Barry]] likes to mix his metaphors. One impressive example: ''[[Dave Barry]] Slept Here'' describes the Great Crash of 1929 as the day when "the nation's seemingly prosperous economy was revealed to be merely a paper tiger with feet of clay living in a straw house of cards that had cried 'wolf' once too often."
* [[Dave Barry]] likes to mix his metaphors. One impressive example: ''[[Dave Barry]] Slept Here'' describes the Great Crash of 1929 as the day when "the nation's seemingly prosperous economy was revealed to be merely a paper tiger with feet of clay living in a straw house of cards that had cried 'wolf' once too often."
* [[Poul Anderson]]'s [[Technic History]]: Nicholas Van Rijn, along with [[Malaproper|malapropisms]], often mixed metaphors. Particularly appealing was his reference to forcefully seeking something he wanted "like a bulldozer going after a cowdozer."
* [[Poul Anderson]]'s [[Technic History]]: Nicholas Van Rijn, along with [[Malaproper|malapropisms]], often mixed metaphors. Particularly appealing was his reference to forcefully seeking something he wanted "like a bulldozer going after a cowdozer."
* Lampshaded in ''[[Dirk Gentlys Holistic Detective Agency]]'', after Michael Wenton-Weakes's mother is described as a battle-axe: "She had been waiting patiently -- or at least with the appearance of patience -- in the wings all this time, being the devoted wife, the doting but strict mother. Now someone had taken her -- to switch metaphors for a moment -- out of her scabbard and everyone was running for cover."
* Lampshaded in ''[[Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency]]'', after Michael Wenton-Weakes's mother is described as a battle-axe: "She had been waiting patiently -- or at least with the appearance of patience -- in the wings all this time, being the devoted wife, the doting but strict mother. Now someone had taken her -- to switch metaphors for a moment -- out of her scabbard and everyone was running for cover."
* In ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire (Literature)|A Song of Ice and Fire]]'', the spymaster Varys is known as the Spider, but his spies are called his "little birds."
* In ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'', the spymaster Varys is known as the Spider, but his spies are called his "little birds."




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'''Sam''': You're using mixed metaphors<br />
'''Sam''': You're using mixed metaphors<br />
'''Gene''': Right, whatever, the smaller fish want to enter the hunting grounds. }}
'''Gene''': Right, whatever, the smaller fish want to enter the hunting grounds. }}
* After {{spoiler|Chris'}} death in the sixth season of ''[[The Sopranos]]'', Tony has to dispel a rumor that ''he'' killed him ({{spoiler|he did so as a mercy killing after a car crash}}). He starts off by saying, "Okay, we gotta deal with the 500-pound [[Elephant in The Living Room|elephant in the room]]..."
* After {{spoiler|Chris'}} death in the sixth season of ''[[The Sopranos]]'', Tony has to dispel a rumor that ''he'' killed him ({{spoiler|he did so as a mercy killing after a car crash}}). He starts off by saying, "Okay, we gotta deal with the 500-pound [[Elephant in the Living Room|elephant in the room]]..."
* Nina from ''[[Just Shoot Me]]'': "A bird in the hand is worth two if by sea" and "Denial is not just a river in England."
* Nina from ''[[Just Shoot Me]]'': "A bird in the hand is worth two if by sea" and "Denial is not just a river in England."
* Magda from Brazilian sitcom ''Sai de Baixo'', being from the [[The Ditz|ditzy]] kind of stupid, has some of these such as "Who plants the wind, reaps blood, sweat and beers" and "everyone in life must plant a son, have a book and write a tree!".
* Magda from Brazilian sitcom ''Sai de Baixo'', being from the [[The Ditz|ditzy]] kind of stupid, has some of these such as "Who plants the wind, reaps blood, sweat and beers" and "everyone in life must plant a son, have a book and write a tree!".
* Kelly Bundy from ''[[Married With Children]]'' is chock full of these, being [[The Brainless Beauty]] of her family. [http://www.bundyology.com/kellyisms.html This site] has a near-complete list of them.
* Kelly Bundy from ''[[Married... with Children]]'' is chock full of these, being [[The Brainless Beauty]] of her family. [http://www.bundyology.com/kellyisms.html This site] has a near-complete list of them.
* Cyril Bryson on ''[[Chef (TV)|Chef]]'' "This is the eye of the needle that breaks the camel's back!"
* Cyril Bryson on ''[[Chef]]'' "This is the eye of the needle that breaks the camel's back!"
* The Seventh Doctor on ''[[Doctor Who (TV)|Doctor Who]]'' started out doing this a lot. "A bird in the hand keep the doctor away." "A memory like a kangaroo." "Time and tides melt the snowman." It was initially intended to be a consistent quirk but, after he'd come to grips with himself, he (or rather, the writers) grew out of it.
* The Seventh Doctor on ''[[Doctor Who]]'' started out doing this a lot. "A bird in the hand keep the doctor away." "A memory like a kangaroo." "Time and tides melt the snowman." It was initially intended to be a consistent quirk but, after he'd come to grips with himself, he (or rather, the writers) grew out of it.
** People forget that the Fourth Doctor did it too (just never in such a high concentration). "While there's life, there's six of one, half a dozen of the other."
** People forget that the Fourth Doctor did it too (just never in such a high concentration). "While there's life, there's six of one, half a dozen of the other."
* Michael Scott of [[The Office]] does this just about [[Once an Episode]].
* Michael Scott of [[The Office]] does this just about [[Once an Episode]].
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I'm cleaning house out of the gate<br />
I'm cleaning house out of the gate<br />
Before my heart starts caving in }}
Before my heart starts caving in }}
* [[Kenny Chesney (Music)|Kenny Chesney]]'s "Better as a Memory" has a verse that starts out with "Goodbyes are like a roulette wheel" and ends with "You're left holding a losing hand".
* [[Kenny Chesney]]'s "Better as a Memory" has a verse that starts out with "Goodbyes are like a roulette wheel" and ends with "You're left holding a losing hand".
* Martina McBride's "Ride" has "Life is a roller coaster ride / Time turns the wheel and love collides." Wait, what?
* Martina McBride's "Ride" has "Life is a roller coaster ride / Time turns the wheel and love collides." Wait, what?
* The second and third verses of "Run-Around" by [[Blues Traveler]] are constant strings of these.
* The second and third verses of "Run-Around" by [[Blues Traveler]] are constant strings of these.
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* In an episode of ''Unnatural Acts'', Jeremy takes various mixed medicines, [[Lemon Wacky Hello|with predictably spaced-out results.]] His speech pattern changes to reflect this, with mixed metaphors being one of the symptoms.
* In an episode of ''Unnatural Acts'', Jeremy takes various mixed medicines, [[Lemon Wacky Hello|with predictably spaced-out results.]] His speech pattern changes to reflect this, with mixed metaphors being one of the symptoms.
{{quote| '''Jeremy:''' Blast! I knew I shouldn't have tried to rub elbows with the small potatoes when I should be chewing the cud with the big fish!}}
{{quote| '''Jeremy:''' Blast! I knew I shouldn't have tried to rub elbows with the small potatoes when I should be chewing the cud with the big fish!}}
* In ''[[I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue (Radio)|Hamish And Dougal]]'', Dougal taunts the Laird with "Hah! So you don't like it when the boots are down and the chips are on the other foot!"
* In ''[[I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue|Hamish And Dougal]]'', Dougal taunts the Laird with "Hah! So you don't like it when the boots are down and the chips are on the other foot!"


== Theater ==
== Theater ==
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* [[Homestuck]] has many examples, the most self aware would be: "So many irons in the fire. Such a tangled web. It is a web full of flaming irons and mixed metaphors."
* [[Homestuck]] has many examples, the most self aware would be: "So many irons in the fire. Such a tangled web. It is a web full of flaming irons and mixed metaphors."
* [[Basic Instructions]]: [http://basicinstructions.net/basic-instructions/2012/1/8/how-to-accept-forgiveness.html You're a pig, cause you squealed, like a rat!"]
* [[Basic Instructions]]: [http://basicinstructions.net/basic-instructions/2012/1/8/how-to-accept-forgiveness.html You're a pig, cause you squealed, like a rat!"]
* In ''[[No Rest for The Wicked (Webcomic)|No Rest for The Wicked]]'', [http://www.forthewicked.net/archive/04i-05.html mixing metaphors] [[Minor Flaw Major Overreaction|revolts]] [[Prince Charmless|Prince Ricardo]].
* In ''[[No Rest for The Wicked (webcomic)|No Rest for The Wicked]]'', [http://www.forthewicked.net/archive/04i-05.html mixing metaphors] [[Minor Flaw Major Overreaction|revolts]] [[Prince Charmless|Prince Ricardo]].




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* Zapp Brannigan of ''[[Futurama]]'': "Once we hit that bullseye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate."
* Zapp Brannigan of ''[[Futurama]]'': "Once we hit that bullseye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate."
** Also from "Future Stock".
** Also from "Future Stock".
{{quote| '''That Guy:''' [[There Are Two Kinds of People in The World|There are two kinds of people]] - sheep and sharks.... I am proud to be the shepherd of this herd of sharks.}}
{{quote| '''That Guy:''' [[There Are Two Kinds of People in the World|There are two kinds of people]] - sheep and sharks.... I am proud to be the shepherd of this herd of sharks.}}
* Abe Linclon on [[Clone High]] had a few.
* Abe Linclon on [[Clone High]] had a few.
{{quote| Combining this trope with [[Double Entendre]]: ""It's everything I've been wadding up in the sad chamber of my heart, and now I'm shooting that wad. Thirty-five millimeter.""}}
{{quote| Combining this trope with [[Double Entendre]]: ""It's everything I've been wadding up in the sad chamber of my heart, and now I'm shooting that wad. Thirty-five millimeter.""}}
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* And of course, [[Memetic Mutation|this]] [[Youtube Poop|classic]] courtesy of [[Super Mario Bros Super Show|Mama Luigi]]:
* And of course, [[Memetic Mutation|this]] [[Youtube Poop|classic]] courtesy of [[Super Mario Bros Super Show|Mama Luigi]]:
{{quote| "Well like they say in Brooklyn, early to bed early to get the worm... or is it the bagel?"}}
{{quote| "Well like they say in Brooklyn, early to bed early to get the worm... or is it the bagel?"}}
* From ''[[Dan Vs]]'' "The Dentist,":
* From ''[[Dan Vs.]]'' "The Dentist,":
{{quote| '''Dan''': [The dentist]'s a long term strategist! He's playing fourth-dimensional chess, and we're his ball of string!<br />
{{quote| '''Dan''': [The dentist]'s a long term strategist! He's playing fourth-dimensional chess, and we're his ball of string!<br />
'''Chris''': I think you're mixing up games.<br />
'''Chris''': I think you're mixing up games.<br />
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* From an episode of ''[[The Simpsons]]'':
* From an episode of ''[[The Simpsons]]'':
{{quote| '''Homer''': They ran away like schoolgirls with their tails between their legs!}}
{{quote| '''Homer''': They ran away like schoolgirls with their tails between their legs!}}
* In ''[[Ben 10 Alien Force]]'': Rath's food is accidentally blown away by Octagon Vreedle, prompting Rath to say "A man's food is his castle!" (Octagon calls him out on it, using the page title).
* In ''[[Ben 10: Alien Force]]'': Rath's food is accidentally blown away by Octagon Vreedle, prompting Rath to say "A man's food is his castle!" (Octagon calls him out on it, using the page title).




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