Modern mis said idioms. Anyone know anymore?

Question

Hi

To my understanding, an idiom is a metaphor with non-productive syntactic structure. Most commonly used as a way to make a metaphoric obscure description. A typical idiom as I understand it would be: " Straight from the horse's mouth", used to indicate that information is given in the first person and therefore true.

However, I have noticed that idioms can become even more obscured in common speach and as a result changed. The only two I know of are as follows:

He did all the work 'straight of his own back'.

The true idiom being 'straight of his own bat'.

Also, it is common escpecially in the UK to hear the phrase 'bone idle', when the correct idiom is actually 'born idle'. As a reader you can clearly see the latter and correct idiom 'born' makes sense whereas 'bone' does not.

'Bone idle' and 'of his own back' are commonly used, but incorrect. They are the only two I know of and I would be interested in anyone knows any more?

Thanks.

Perhapd incorrect is the wrong word for what I mean. A clearer description of my question would be idioms which have changed slightly to make more sense or fit into modern vocabularies. I agree 'bat' does make no sense, I suspect that's the reason it changed.

Answer 1

My hubby, and his whole family, for that matter, say "running around with my head cut off" as a mutation of the phrase "running around like a chicken with its head cut off."

I know that the original form is a simile and not an idiom, but their "version" actually seems to have become an idiom as a result of the transition.

Answer 2

I know one, used a lot in conversation, called "bog standard", meaning run-of-the-mill, but I believe the true phrase is "box-standard", meaning the same thing as if come out of a run-of-the-mill package in a uniform shape and size.

Answer 3

I thought bone idle was spelt "bone idol" and had a religious basis. A bone idol being a worthless token of a deity.

Answer 4

I hear teachers, politicians and supposedly educated people saying this all the time:
"irregardless of the situation...etc."
when the correct word is "regardless."
Also "the other alternative" instead of "the alternative" because the word means "the other choice or option" already.

Answer 5

I've noticed that in the U.S people will say "I could care less" when they really mean "I couldn't care less." but I can't think of any others at the moment.

Answer 6

"To coin a phrase" means to make up a new phrase. It more and more has come to mean its opposite, to repeat somebody else's phrase.

Answer 7

did u mean butt? cos bat somehow doesn't make sense to me in this sentence

Answer 8

a friend of mine always says" oh my giddy hand" instead of aunt

Answer 9

too long to read....can't be bothered, but if you care about it that much, i agree!