Words That Sportswriters Use That Make Me Cringe

Don't we have a nickname thread hiding somewhere?

My nerdy high school, which was the Spartans, changed its mascot while I was there. As I recall, the general consensus was, "We have a mascot?" I don't think the average student even knew we had athletic teams. There was a vote, and we chose Wolverines... even though the only way a student would see a wolverine locally was at the zoo.

In my coverage area, "Redskins" was changed maybe 10 years ago, but there are still Braves and Chiefs -- and a school named after the indigenous tribe that populated the area. There are a lot of Native American geographic names which have been adopted for roads, schools, etc..

 

In Comanche, Texas, the boys teams are the Indians and the girls teams are the Maidens. The school newspaper is the Smoke Signal, and the town newspaper is the Comanche Chief.

 

I've seen a guy use multiple tenses in one 15-inch gamer.

The guy probably would have worked a flashback in there if he had more time.

 

Almost every reporter (news and sports) in my shop uses "different" when it's not needed. And most of the editing staff lets it through. I change it without fail and tell everyone it's a classic "Department of Redundancy Department" usage, but not even the ME in charge of the desks thinks it's a big deal.

 

Hearken, for hark, dampen for damp, and similar misuses.

 

"Missed a field goal." You can't miss a field goal. You can only miss a field-goal attempt.

 

Nickname thread? Obligatory mention of the Yuma, Ariz., High School Criminals. Take the 3:10 to get there on time.

 

Pitch, in soccer. When soccer moms start using that term, I'll use it.

Don't @ me.

Also, George Carlin did the ultimate baseball/football phraseology routine. Look it up.

 

Not sports but probably fits here

 

"Stanza" in boxing. Ugh