Double-Doubles
"So...quadruples?" "You GOT it!"
A double-double is a set of words or phrases with two parallel aspects that make them look more related than they actually are. They usually look like synonyms but not always: DEATH SPIRAL looks like it should mean the same thing as MORTAL COIL, but DECADENT just looks like it should be a ten-point version of a TRIDENT.
The set is usually a pair, but again, not always. When paired, sometimes one phrase looks like a pun on the other one’s straightforward meaning, and sometimes they both look like puns on some unstated other phrase.
I’ve assembled these examples from a subpage on Crosscord. This is only from the first few months of it—if this goes over well, I might gather more. I’ve done my best to credit everyone involved below.
(Fair warning, a few of these are on the racy side, including the last one. If you’re reading out loud to your kids, might want to skip those.)
ACTING COACH / STAGECOACH
AMERICAN GRAFFITI / YANKEE DOODLE
BAD COOKING / GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT
BEARS REPEATING / TURTLES ALL THE WAY DOWN (related)
BREATHING ROOM / LIVING SPACE / LIVING ROOM / BREATHING SPACE
CARRY / VANISH
CLEAN AND JERK / GOOD AND EVIL
COLD MEDICINE / CHILL PILL
CORE WORKOUT / ABUSE
CORPORAL PUNISHMENT / MAJOR PROBLEM
CROSSWORD / ANGRY LETTERS
DISEMBOWEL / DELIVER
DREAM A LITTLE DREAM OF ME / I’M YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE
ECHO CHAMBER / SPEECH BUBBLE
FAT CHANCE / BIG SHOT
FIREFLY / WATERFALL (antonyms)
FLYING CARRIAGE / FLYING COACH
FREEZER BURN / ICY HOT / ICE SPICE / ARCTIC CHAR
GI JOE / GI BILL (related)
GRANDFATHER / K-POP
GUY PEARCE / MANDRILL / CHAPSTICK
HONDA FIT / CARJACKED
I THINK I'LL PASS / GUESS I'LL DIE
JOHN DEERE / JOHN DOE / DEAR JOHN
K-9 / K-12 (related)
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS / PORNHUB
MAGIC JOHNSON / WIZARD STAFF
MAGNIFYING GLASS / INSPECTOR GADGET
MARE / HORSE GIRL
MASSAGE PARLOR / RUBBER ROOM
MILF MANOR / OEDIPUS COMPLEX
MT. RUSHMORE WORKER / GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER
NUMBER OF THE BEAST / ANIMAL TRANQUILIZER
PET NAMES / LOVE HANDLES
POLICE SHOWS / COPPER CABLE
POULTRY FARMERS / CHICKEN TENDERS
PROCTOLOGIST / ASSIST
QUICKIE / HIGH-SPEED RAIL
RING OF FIRE / FLAMINGO
SODA JERK / POP PUNK / WINE SNOB / BEER BRAT
SPELL CHECKERS / MAGIC SQUARES
STEAL A KISS / MAKE OUT LIKE A BANDIT
TELEPROMPTER / PILOT EPISODE
THE BEAVER STATE / DAMNATION
TRANSPORT / STARBOARD
TRIP-HOP / FALL-SPRING
UNAIRED PILOT / GROUNDED PILOT
UNCLICKING / DEPRESSING
WEE HOURS / SMALL-TIME
WHERE DO YOU GET OFF / WHAT'S THE STRANGEST PLACE YOU'VE EVER MADE WHOOPEE?
Contributors to entries I considered: Assorted-Interests, John Kugelman, Ken Stern, heywhatsupitsbob, FRISCOSEVENTEEN Jay “JayLow” Low, jenna lafleur, hughesovka, GammaMage157, POOOOPmaster, carter, Will Nediger, jackofallspades98, Boaz Moser, and Quiara, Megalopapologist [comma is part of the name].
Tomorrow: A new little puzzle!