Marv Albert is a renowned sports announcer, formerly of NBC sports.Courtesy: Answers.com
I can't tell you all the times my teachers have accused me of speaking in sportsugese.
Whether its "tallying a clean sheet" – (used in soccer when a goalkeeper allows no goals), "going on a killing spree" – (used in volleyball when referring to a player who scores a series of immediate points), "bombing an ace down the Texas-t-bone" – (used in tennis when a players serves an ace down the center of the service line), "going yard" – (used in baseball when a player hits a home run), the bottom line is that journalism teachers can't stand this talk.
But last time I checked, the first amendment under the U.S. constitution protects free speech. How can anyone limit us sports guys from communicating within our world?
In essence, I'm deprived when I can't speak in my native sportsugese. The language is the foundation of what I do and that is covering sports.
Bob Gross of the Oakland Press points out that Dr. Don Powell supports sports clichés.
I mean, let's face it, even the professionals speak in terms you probably don't even understand.
Former NBC sports announcer and current TNT broadcaster Marv Albert is a pioneer of the language. His catch phrases in basketball, including: "From downtown – (used when a 3-point shot is made), "He is on fire" – (used to indicate a player does not miss a shot), and "Serves up a facial" – (used when a player slam dunks a ball), are all indicative of a dialect that belongs to a much larger language.
And over the course of his 30-year career, Albert's sports jargon has become an accepted form of communication in the sports world. EA sports got a clue about his ever growing popularity, signing him to a multi-year deal to help sell video game merchandise.
ESPN college basketball color analyst Dick Vitale is another contributor to the much criticized language. His frequent use of "diaper dandies" – (used to refer to freshman basketball players) and his annual "all-Windex performer" – (used to recognize players who can clean the glass, or grab rebounds), is part of a growing trend of sports phrases only understood by those who speak the language.
Sportsugese allows the announcer to be creative without the repetitive, boring, tedious insight otherwise accustomed. The language provides flare and excitement upon any sports discussion.
Maybe KU should get a clue about sportsugese. Maybe the university should offer sportsugese as a course for students looking to fulfill a language requirement. Without it, they may never understand the true meaning of sports.
This entry takes you to another level. It's a walk-off. Real deal on wheels. Two more and it's a hat trick.
Rahul, I may not understand your language, but I fully support your right to speak it. Very entertaining post.
My problem is that I've never really been into sports, and while I've recently become more interested, it's hard for my girl brain to parse most sports reporting. Maybe you should start a Sportugese 101 blog to explain it all to people like me do that we latecomers can figure out what you sportos are always so excited about.
Now I know why I don't understand sports: I'm not fluent in sportsugese. You should create an online sportsugese dictionary. I'd use it.
Rahul gave 110 percent on this post. He is the sort of blogger that brings his lunchbox to practice every day. It was a tough loss for the eHubbers who weren't posted, but they've just got to take it one post at a time. Keep sawing wood. I won't be able to comment any further about this post until I go back and watch the tape.
I agree with Heidi. It's a whole other language. What do you think about this: sportsugese belongs in sports magazines and sports channels, but not in newspapers (where regular people like me might be part of the audience)