New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-20
LANGUAGE OF SPORTS.
It's Use IN Describing Everyday
Life Increasing.

Philadelphia Dec. 1s (SpeciaD.-AImost every sport
and game has increased the coIloquiaI vocabulary
OF the English language, and, though many of the
terms for whose application to daily occurrences
various sports and pastimes are responsible are
not to be found in dictionaries. their use is con-
stantly increasing the tips Of many tongues.
They may be slang, bur slang in these days is
part OF the language
Baseball, the national game OF America, has
taken a lions share in thus adding 10 the express
sions one hears in everyday conversation. Three
times and out" originally meant the failure Of
batsman to hit the ball Now it is applied to any
failure; 1t may be in love, it may be in business.
A ''muTer." first a ball player who dropped the
ball after it was in his hands is any who
cannot keep his mental physical grip things
concrete or otherwise \ base HIT Is applied to
any successful venture and the term "a hit" most
frequently heard in relation TO public performers
platforms draws its meaning from the base
ball diamond. He made home run Of It" is often
heard relative the career of successful
business man. Fingers distorted at the joints by
accident are called baseball fingers" and are fire.
quentIy marks OF Identification. The glass arm
of the pitcher now applies to any crippled arm
a grand stand play is performed TO
bring forth applause, and is often used to char
acterze political moves as it is double plays The
caught at the home plate" Of the baseball field
is synonymous with the falls at the last ditch
of the hunting field. Now both expressions de-
scribe the failure of that which had every appear
ance Of success. Got his base on balls refers
lucky wight who. through no effort Of his
own, achieved a much sought goal
Reaching the goaP' typihes the qualification OF
LIES ambition, even as it spells success on the
football or polo held- BOWED over IS taken
direct from the cricket field. a person knocked
down by streetCaT one in business who sue
Cumbs 10 a superior rival is like the fallen wicket
To Rugby football is owed the expression the
lineup whether il is used to describe those at
ticket office window or the wall flowers at a dance
A foul tackle" is taking unfair advantage OF
Horseracing has given words innurnerable 10 col
lOquaI speech. Made a runaway race or It sig
toe weights is often heard in talk about a per
iTpoTtance, a bad break" traces it's origin to
the trotting track Give him his head Is another
way OF saving Let him take his course" The
raCetrack frequenter would call a decelVer an in
and rider" ringer is the most common
false colors. and "a dark horse. as often stands
for a political candidate concerning whom little Is
known, il does for a horse whose pedigree and
merits are mysterious shes nigh stopper re-
marks one OF d woman who exctes his adrlira-
raae-racl, term he saws ''She's a thoroughbred.'
how person refuses TO heed advice The word
'tockeyinS" conveys instantly the meaning OF ma
nPuvTing TO gain certain position
Got his second WInd' comes from the running
track characterize one who has recovered fast
ebbinE courage, just as "a spurt refers 10 an IN
crease of effort in any direction.
How often hears the exclamation. It's your
move" without thinking that the game OF check
is responsible for the expression. One satisfied
with his prospects or position stands pat. as the
poker player does when the dealer gives him a
full house before the draw. Cards and card games,
indeed prolific in increasing the vocabulary
sports. LAS black as spade. hes not ace
shuttle" you're q trump" he played his best
bower" these and a hundred more terms tech
nicaIly used in card games have their mace IN ex-
pressing the joys and Sorrows work and play OF
everyday life