The Saint Paul globe., 1904-01-31
Vocabulary of Sports Is
Rich i'm Slang Expressions

A LMOST every sport and game has in
~ creased the colloquial vocabulary of
the English language, and. though
many of the terms for whose application
to daily occurrences, various sports and
pastime are responsible are not to be
found In dictionaries, their use Is con-
stantly increasing on the tips of many
tongues. They may be slang. but slang in
these days Is a part OF the language.
Baseball, the national game of America,
has taken a lions share in thus adding to
the expressions one hears in everyday con-
versation. Three times and out" origin
ally meant the failure Of any batsman to
hit the ball. Now 1t is applied to any fall
ure; Ii may be in love, 1t may be in busi-
ness A "muffer," first ball player who
dropped the ball after 1t was in his hands.
Is now anyone who cannot keep his men
tai or physical grip on things concrete or
otherwise A "base hit" is applied to any
successful venture. and the term "a hit
most frequently heard In relation to pub
lie performers on platforms. draws its
meaning from the baseball diamond. He
made a home run OF it, is often heard
relative to the career OF some successful
business man. Fingers distorted at the
Joints by accident are called baseball
fingers and are frequently marks Of iden-
tification. The glass arm" Of the pitcher
now applies to any crippled arm.
"a grand stand play" Is an act per-
formed to bring forth applause and Is as
often used to characterize political moves
as It is double piays The caught & az the
nonyrnous with the falls at the last
ditch" Of the hunting field. Now. both
expressions describe the failure OF that
aGot his base on balls refers to some
lucky wight who through no effort OF his
own. achieved a much sought goal.
Reaching the goal, typifes the graft.
spells success on the football or polo
field. "Bowled over" Is taken direct from
the cricket field. A person knocked down
by street car or one in business who
succumbs to a superior rival is like the
fallen wicket To Rugby football Is owed
the expression "the lineup" whether 1t
Is used to describe those at ticket Of
fee window or the wall flowers at a
dance. A foul tackle" Is taking unfair
advantage of a rival in everyday life, just
as IT Is on the gridiron-
Horse racing has given words innum-
erable to colloquiai speech. Made 4,
far ahead Of all rivals. Needs toe
weights" Is often heard In talk about
person who Is carried away by sense
OF his own Importance. bad break
traces its origin to the trotting track.
Give him his head" is another way OF
saying Let him take his own course"
The race track frequenter would can
deeeiyer an "in and out rider" A ring
err Is the most common expression used
to signify one who Is sailing under false
colors and "a dark horse as often stands
for a political candidate concerning whom
little is known as 1t does for horse
whose pedigree and merits are mysterious.
'She's a high-stepper," remarks one Of
a woman who excites his admiration, or.
to express the same meaning In another
race track term, he says: Shes thor
ouehbred." Takes the bit In his teeth"
is a way of explaining how person re-
fuses to heed advice The word Jockey
Ing" conveys instantly the meaning Of