75 sports terms used in slang
Lesson 4 • tom is way off base!
translation: Fred could never get a date
but since he started exercising,
he’s been extremely
successful.
“real speak”: Fred could never ged a date
b’t since ’e starded exercising,
he’s been badding a thousan’.
Origin: One thousand is a perfect batting
percentage, an ideal that is
impossible to achieve.
go to bat for someone (to) exp. to defend
someone.
example: When I was about to get fired,
my manager went to bat for
me and convinced the boss to
keep me employed.
translation: When I was about to get fired,
my manager defended me and
convinced the boss to keep me
employed.
“real speak”: When I w’z about ta get fired, my
manager went ta bat fer me
’n convinced the boss ta keep me
employed.
Origin: Said of a baseball player who
bats in another player’s place.
in the ballpark exp. within acceptable limits.
example: You won’t believe the salary the
boss offered me. It wasn’t even
in the ballpark! I deserve
twice as much!
translation: You won’t believe the salary the
boss offered me. It wasn’t even
within acceptable limits!
I deserve twice as much!
“real speak”: You won’t believe the salary the
boss offered me. It wasn’ even in
the ballpark! I deserve twice
’ez much!
Origin: The ballpark is the stadium in
which a baseball game is played.
out in left field (to be) exp. to be
completely mistaken.
example: Jeff actually thought I was
interested in his girlfriend. I told
him he was out in left field!
translation: Jeff actually thought I was
interested in his girlfriend. I told
him he was completely
mistaken!
“real speak”: Jeff akshelly thod I w’z int’rested
’n ’is girlfriend. I told ’im ’e w’z
out ’n lef’ field!
Variation: way out in left field (to be)
exp. to be totally and completely
mistaken.
Origin: Beyond the baseball diamond
(which is where most of the
activity takes place during a
game) is a large area which is
divided into three fields: right
field, center field, and left field.
out of one’s league (to be) exp. • 1. to be
in a situation where everyone is more
experienced than you • 2. said of someone
who is unattainable.
example 1: I just got a job working with some
of the smartest scientists in the
country. I think I’m out of my
league. I just graduated college
last week!
translation: I just got a job working with some
of the smartest scientists in the
country. I think I’m in a
situation where everyone is
more experienced than I am.
I just graduated college last
week!
“real speak”: I jus’ god a job working w’th
some ’a the smardes’ scientis’ ’n
the country. I think I’m oudda
my league. I jus’ gradjuaded
college las’ week!
example 2: I’d love to go out with Linda but
she’s out of my league. She’s
so beautiful! She probably only
likes guys as gorgeous as she is.
translation: I’d love to go out with Linda but
she’s unattainable for
someone like me. She’s so
beautiful! She probably only likes
guys as gorgeous as she is.
“real speak”: I’d love da go out w’th Linda b’t
she’s oudda my league. She’s
so beaudiful! She prob’ly only
likes guys ’ez gorgeous ’ez she is.
Origin: Said of a baseball player who is
promoted to the major leagues
before he has the needed
experience.