But who would have thunk it?

Doing a bit of research for an unusual contest played annually, I came across the incomparable Yogi Berra (real name is Lawrence Peter Berra BTW) and his command of the English language. It can be called…perhaps referred to as…anybody? Malapropism

Instead of the cut and paste, visit a website or two and you’ll get the gesture….

Malapropism-Wikipedia, Eggcorn-Wikipedia, Dogberry-Wkipedia, Spoonerism-Wikipedia

And an example or two…..

• Archie Bunker: “vagrant disregard for the law”, “the Pope is inflammable,” “patience is a virgin,” “you look like you seen a goat“, “mental pause” in place of menopause, “groinocology” as in going to see the woman doctor.
• “My uncle had a problem with his probate and he had to take these big pills and drink lots of water.” (i.e., prostate) – Roger Rabbit from Who Framed Roger Rabbit
• “I might just fade into Bolivian, you know what I mean?” (i.e., oblivion) — Mike Tyson
• “Because I like you, I’ll even do it pro boner.” (i.e., pro bono) – Bart Simpson agreeing to help Seymour Skinner with his love life.
• “I resemble that remark!” (i.e., resent) – Stooge Curly Howard, after being insulted by fellow Stooge Moe

My favorite at this was Archie Bunker, All in the Family.

And of course, what got this posting started – the Yogiisms (from Wikipedia):

• As a general comment on baseball: “Ninety percent of this game is half mental.”
• On why he no longer went to a popular St. Louis restaurant: “Nobody goes there no more; it’s too crowded!”
• “It ain’t over till it’s over.” – After Berra’s 1973 Mets trailed the Chicago Cubs by 9½ games in the National League East; the Mets rallied to win the division title on the next-to-last day of the season.
• When giving directions to his New Jersey home, which was equally accessible via two different routes: “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”
• On being the guest of honor at an awards banquet: “I’d like to thank all those who made this night necessary.”
• “It’s like déjà vu all over again”. Berra explained that this quote originated when he witnessed Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris repeatedly hit back to back home runs in the Yankees’ seasons in the early 1960s.
• “You can observe a lot by just watching.”
• “It’s tough making predictions, especially about the future”. This actually belongs to Storm P.
• “Always go to other people’s funerals; otherwise they won’t come to yours.”
• On a trip to Cooperstown, to attend a dinner, Phil Rizzuto commented to Yogi, “I think we’re lost.” To which Yogi responded “Yeah, but we’re making great time.”
• When told by a queen visiting New York on a particularly humid day that he appeared “quite cool,” Yogi innocently responded “Thanks; you don’t look so hot yourself.”
• When asked if he wanted a personal pizza cut into 4 or 8 slices, Yogi responded with “Better cut it into 4; I don’t think I could eat 8.”
• “It’s not the heat, it’s the humility.”
• “They could make trouble for us if they win” on the American League situation
• “The future ain’t what it used to be.”
• “We made too many wrong mistakes.”
• “If the world were perfect, it wouldn’t be.”
• “I usually take a two hour nap from one to four.”
• “Know anything? I don’t even ‘suspect’ anything!”
• On the Yankees leaving Yankee Stadium for the final game: “I’m sad to see it go. I really do.”
• When asked about his relationship with George Steinbrenner, he responded: “We agree different.”
• When being interviewed by Tim Russert, Russert said to Yogi, “I am going to say something and I want you to say the first thing that comes to your mind. You understand?” Yogi replied, “Yea I got it.” Tim Russert said, “Mickey Mantle.” To which Yogi replied “What about him?”
• Once when asked, “What time is it?” Yogi replied, “What, now?”