Mixing phrases
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!