Clichés and Grammar: A Sporting Matter

Clichés abound in pro sports locker rooms. Overheard this week in Denver- Defensive Lineman Gerard Warren: “There’s plenty of time to get it back on track. It’s an up and down season. It just happens that we’re climbing up a hill right now.” Defensive Lineman Kenard Lang also chimed in: “Every game is a must-win to me. …you don’t want to get behind the eight-ball.”

With so many clichés spewing forth, it’s only a matter of time before metaphors and clichés get mixed up in an eargasmic treat of communicative delight. First came San Francisco Cornerback Walt Harris recounting his resurgence after a journeyman season in the NFL: “I’ve always had confidence in myself. I’m just seeing the fruits of what I’ve felt internally.” Hey Walt- good game, but keep the fruits in your pants.

Then this one. Dallas’ Defensive End Marcus Spears (no relation to Brittany) on the teams recent success: “I think the magnitude of what we can do now and how we can set ourselves up in the future and hopefully getting into the playoffs, I think it’s important and it’s prevalent. The air is thick right now.” Marcus- I’ll give you a few minutes to look up “prevalent” in the dictionary. After that, you and I can discuss why the air in Dallas is suddenly denser. Maybe someone should alert Al Gore. I smell a documentary.

Cowboy’s Cornerback Aaron Glenn continued (in reference to the Cowboy’s probable playoff run): “It’s almost like guys are smelling it. Last year, it was almost like, ‘Wow’ that we’re in it. This year, all the guys expect to be in it. That’s different, expecting it then when it jumps on like ‘Wow’,” OK- I’m seeing a trend in Dallas, there’s something that people are stepping in, it smells, and it’s making the air thick. Screw Al Gore, somebody call Cuba Gooding Jr. and Dustin Hoffman.

Finally, Atlanta Falcon’s Receivers Coach George Stewart on their pass-catching issues: “For anything to grow, it has to die.”

Ahhh… the circle of life.

Source: AP Newswire

Finally, Atlanta Falcon’s Receivers Coach George Stewart on their pass-catching issues: “For anything to grow, it has to die.”

Ahhh… the circle of life.

Source: AP Newswire