Sports Lingo: Decoding the Terminology of Athletics
by Yuvi K - December 16, 2023
Sports Lingo: Decoding the Terminology of Athletics
Sports lingo and jargon can sometimes be confusing for those who don’t follow the sports world closely. For those new to the sports world, understanding the various terms used by athletes, coaches and fans can often be difficult. This article will help decode some of the most popular terms used in athletic competitions, so that readers can appreciate and understand the sport a little better.
Types of Sports Lingo
Sports lingo can generally be divided into four categories: Technical Terminology, Motivation Terms, Derogatory Phrases and Slang.
Technical Terminology
Technical terminology is jargon related to a particular sport that is generally used by players, coaches, referees, and others involved in the sport.
| English | Hindi | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Clutch | मशीनांकित करना | To perform exceptionally well during a critical moment |
| Foul | गांड | An illegal move or action |
| Offsides | आफसाइड्स | A violation of rules regarding the positioning of players on a field |
| Screen | स्क्रीन प्रदर्शन | A blocking move used to protect a ball handler |
| Technical Foul | तकनीकी गांड | A penalty for an inappropriate behavior |
Motivation Terms
Motivation terms refer to phrases used to encourage one’s teammates or opponents to perform better or to show appreciation for a splendid performance.
| English | Hindi | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Air Ball | हवा का गेंद | A shot that misses the rim, backboard and net completely |
| Ace | अक्स | A successful attempt at something |
| Juke | पहुंचाने पर आगे बढ़ जाना | To fake out an opponent by faking one move and then changing direction |
| Hustle | चढ़कर धड़कनाा | To work hard and put forth maximum effort |
| Goof | बेगुनाह | To make a mistake or blunder |
Derogatory Phrases
Derogatory phrases are phrases used to belittle or insult another player or team. These terms are generally not to be used in official settings, but can often be heard in informal conversations between fans or players.
| English | Hindi | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Butterfingers | मैनेज़ | A derogatory phrase used to describe a player who drops regular passes or fumbles often |
| Choke | गले से कट जाना | To fail to deliver during a critical moment |
| Hack | हैक करना | To make an illegal trip or hit on an opponent |
| Mug | कुतरना | To underestimate an opponent |
| Wuss | डरपोक | An insulting word used to describe someone who isn’t willing to take risks or rise to challenges |
Slang
Sports slang is a set of phrases that have become popular among athletes, coaches and fans. Slang is generally informal and often used in a humorous way.
| English | Hindi | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Bring it | उसे यहाँ लाओ | A phrase used to encourage someone to give a good performance |
| Game on | खेल शुरू | A phrase used to signify that a competition is about to begin |
| Gimme five | पांच दो | A phrase used to express encouragement after a successful performance |
| Put ‘em up | उन्हें ऊपर रखो | A command to an opponent to begin an altercation |
| Throw in the towel | हाथीलाई फेंको | A phrase used to signify giving up or no longer trying |
Conclusion
Sports lingo can often be intimidating to the beginner. However, by understanding the various terms used in the sports world, you’ll be able to enjoy the sport a lot more. This article has provided definitions for some of the most commonly used terms in sports. Now that you better understand the language of sports, you can engage with conversations between sports fans with confidence.
