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Monthly Archives: August 2012
Tennis Lingo: A Few Fun Facts
photo cred: www.mommybytes.com
I hear someone asking themselves, “What does this picture have anything to do with tennis?” If it’s you I’m hearing, read on.
As I am sure it is the case with any sport, tennis has it’s own funny quirks.
For example:
US Open Ticket-holder #1: What did they just say?
US Open Ticket-holder #2: Love.
US Open Ticket-holder #1: Who’s in love?
Okay – this exchange probably wouldn’t take place between two people who had actually purchased tickets to watch a professional tennis match…But, the US Open is pretty regularly referred to as a ‘social event’ – attracting fans and novices alike – for the prestige.
So for all you socialites out there, who received a ticket to the US Open in the mail from your manager/boyfriend/PR team and would like to avoid the embarrassing conversation I just cited, listen in while I explain the meaning and ancestry of tennis’ most talked about term.
Fans – you might enjoy this too!
Love:
In tennis, “love” refers to a player’s score of zero. In any game, a player must win four points, (by two). Those points are: 15, (you can think of this as point one) 30, (two) 40, (three) and finally, game, (the winning fourth point). But before you get any of those numbers on your scoreboard, you start with love. Nothing. Love = nothing. Sound a little pessimistic? It’s not.
The word “love”, as it is used to describe zero points in a game of tennis, has two very logical theories of origin – one British and one French, both debated.
The English conception, (if true) supposes that the phrase “neither for love, nor money,” was reduced simply, to “love”, meaning that a player, even with zero points, was still playing purely for the love of the sport. (Unless you’re Serena Williams, then you’ve played for 38 million.)
The French version, which seems to be more widely accepted, says that the term “love” came from a mispronunciation and eventual change of the French word “l’oeuf”, meaning “egg”, which was originally used in France, (where tennis is said to have originated) because of an egg’s similar appearance to the number zero, (0). Egg = 0 = l’oeuf = the English hearing “love” and just saying “love” from then on.
Regardless of which you choose to support, either is better than subscribing to some idea that tennis as a sport believes that “love” and “nothing” are synonyms. That would be a turn-off.
Who doesn’t love water-cooler trivia? Here are a few fun facts:
The name “Tennis” : Some believe it was the ancient Egyptians who created the precursor for the game we play today in a town called “Tinnis” along the Nile. Others say “tennis” comes from the French word, “tenez” meaning “take it”, as in sending the ball to your opponent.
Early Tennis : Truthfully, modern tennis came about by slowly moving away from handball. It was popular amongst French monks who’d play strictly with their hands and a rope. As it became an everyman sport, players first wore gloves, then webbed-gloves, then paddles, and finally, rackets.
On that subject : It is believed that the term “racket” actually evolved from the Arabic word, “rahat”, meaning “palm”. See the connection?
That’s plenty to make you sound really smart and impressive at the US Open this month.
You’re welcome.
Tennis Lingo: A Few Fun Facts
photo cred: www.mommybytes.com
I hear someone asking themselves, “What does this picture have anything to do with tennis?” If it’s you I’m hearing, read on.
As I am sure it is the case with any sport, tennis has it’s own funny quirks.
For example:
US Open Ticket-holder #1: What did they just say?
US Open Ticket-holder #2: Love.
US Open Ticket-holder #1: Who’s in love?
Okay – this exchange probably wouldn’t take place between two people who had actually purchased tickets to watch a professional tennis match…But, the US Open is pretty regularly referred to as a ‘social event’ – attracting fans and novices alike – for the prestige.
So for all you socialites out there, who received a ticket to the US Open in the mail from your manager/boyfriend/PR team and would like to avoid the embarrassing conversation I just cited, listen in while I explain the meaning and ancestry of tennis’ most talked about term.
Fans – you might enjoy this too!
Love:
In tennis, “love” refers to a player’s score of zero. In any game, a player must win four points, (by two). Those points are: 15, (you can think of this as point one) 30, (two) 40, (three) and finally, game, (the winning fourth point). But before you get any of those numbers on your scoreboard, you start with love. Nothing. Love = nothing. Sound a little pessimistic? It’s not.
The word “love”, as it is used to describe zero points in a game of tennis, has two very logical theories of origin – one British and one French, both debated.
The English conception, (if true) supposes that the phrase “neither for love, nor money,” was reduced simply, to “love”, meaning that a player, even with zero points, was still playing purely for the love of the sport. (Unless you’re Serena Williams, then you’ve played for 38 million.)
The French version, which seems to be more widely accepted, says that the term “love” came from a mispronunciation and eventual change of the French word “l’oeuf”, meaning “egg”, which was originally used in France, (where tennis is said to have originated) because of an egg’s similar appearance to the number zero, (0). Egg = 0 = l’oeuf = the English hearing “love” and just saying “love” from then on.
Regardless of which you choose to support, either is better than subscribing to some idea that tennis as a sport believes that “love” and “nothing” are synonyms. That would be a turn-off.
Who doesn’t love water-cooler trivia? Here are a few fun facts:
The name “Tennis” : Some believe it was the ancient Egyptians who created the precursor for the game we play today in a town called “Tinnis” along the Nile. Others say “tennis” comes from the French word, “tenez” meaning “take it”, as in sending the ball to your opponent.
Early Tennis : Truthfully, modern tennis came about by slowly moving away from handball. It was popular amongst French monks who’d play strictly with their hands and a rope. As it became an everyman sport, players first wore gloves, then webbed-gloves, then paddles, and finally, rackets.
On that subject : It is believed that the term “racket” actually evolved from the Arabic word, “rahat”, meaning “palm”. See the connection?
That’s plenty to make you sound really smart and impressive at the US Open this month.
You’re welcome.
Tennis Lingo: A Few Fun Facts
photo cred: www.mommybytes.com
I hear someone asking themselves, “What does this picture have anything to do with tennis?” If it’s you I’m hearing, read on.
As I am sure it is the case with any sport, tennis has it’s own funny quirks.
For example:
US Open Ticket-holder #1: What did they just say?
US Open Ticket-holder #2: Love.
US Open Ticket-holder #1: Who’s in love?
Okay – this exchange probably wouldn’t take place between two people who had actually purchased tickets to watch a professional tennis match…But, the US Open is pretty regularly referred to as a ‘social event’ – attracting fans and novices alike – for the prestige.
So for all you socialites out there, who received a ticket to the US Open in the mail from your manager/boyfriend/PR team and would like to avoid the embarrassing conversation I just cited, listen in while I explain the meaning and ancestry of tennis’ most talked about term.
Fans – you might enjoy this too!
Love:
In tennis, “love” refers to a player’s score of zero. In any game, a player must win four points, (by two). Those points are: 15, (you can think of this as point one) 30, (two) 40, (three) and finally, game, (the winning fourth point). But before you get any of those numbers on your scoreboard, you start with love. Nothing. Love = nothing. Sound a little pessimistic? It’s not.
The word “love”, as it is used to describe zero points in a game of tennis, has two very logical theories of origin – one British and one French, both debated.
The English conception, (if true) supposes that the phrase “neither for love, nor money,” was reduced simply, to “love”, meaning that a player, even with zero points, was still playing purely for the love of the sport. (Unless you’re Serena Williams, then you’ve played for 38 million.)
The French version, which seems to be more widely accepted, says that the term “love” came from a mispronunciation and eventual change of the French word “l’oeuf”, meaning “egg”, which was originally used in France, (where tennis is said to have originated) because of an egg’s similar appearance to the number zero, (0). Egg = 0 = l’oeuf = the English hearing “love” and just saying “love” from then on.
Regardless of which you choose to support, either is better than subscribing to some idea that tennis as a sport believes that “love” and “nothing” are synonyms. That would be a turn-off.
Who doesn’t love water-cooler trivia? Here are a few fun facts:
The name “Tennis” : Some believe it was the ancient Egyptians who created the precursor for the game we play today in a town called “Tinnis” along the Nile. Others say “tennis” comes from the French word, “tenez” meaning “take it”, as in sending the ball to your opponent.
Early Tennis : Truthfully, modern tennis came about by slowly moving away from handball. It was popular amongst French monks who’d play strictly with their hands and a rope. As it became an everyman sport, players first wore gloves, then webbed-gloves, then paddles, and finally, rackets.
On that subject : It is believed that the term “racket” actually evolved from the Arabic word, “rahat”, meaning “palm”. See the connection?
That’s plenty to make you sound really smart and impressive at the US Open this month.
You’re welcome.
Low blow
Typically, low blows are given in boxing out of desperation, rarely is it given in mistake. Low blows are also given by females to males because they know that the area is the ultimate weak spot and can end arguments, disputes and fights in little time. However, the low blow is not a respectable strike and if someone delivers it, it better be backed up by a good reason if not it’s just wrong.
Team U.S.A. went up against a solid Argentinian squad on August 6 and won the game 126-97. Argentina put up a good fight in the first half going into the second half only trailing by one point. U.S.A. then went on a 42-17 run in the third quarter, opening a wound that Argentina never healed from.
In the final seconds of the third quarter Argentina guard Facundo Campazzo delivered a disgraceful low blow to Carmelo Anthony as he rose up and shot a three. Anthony made the three but was floored from the low blow.
Listen to this interesting recap of the situation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnA4sI_bo4Y
In American basketball getting fouled is part of the game, even delivering hard fouls is something embedded in American style of play. I played ball in Spain for a couple of months and the difference between American style of play is very different than the European style of play. European style play has less contact and more passing, if contact was made the player would complain, where as in American ball it is common.
Getting back to the story, the low blow by Campazzo wasn’t acceptable contact, it was a cheap shot. I wouldn’t blame Anthony if he got to his feet and dropped Campazzo right where he stood. Campazzo didn’t apologize for the act and said that Chris Paul had hit him in the same manner earlier in the game and didn’t apologize. Maybe it showed some type of balls on Campazzo’s part but who knows what will happen if they meet again.
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Kobe is back and LeBron is still really really really good!
After having an atrocious last few games in the Olympics, Kobe Bryant was able to find his killer instinct. He had a pretty awful first half with just two points and a couple turnovers. The second half was quite different.
Australia went on an 11-0 run to start the third quarter and the Americans appeared to be in trouble. Clinging to just a six point lead, Bryant was able to make his first three pointer of the game. On the very next possession, Kobe stole the ball giving the United States a fast break. He pulled up from beyond the arc and nailed another three.
Australia was forced to call a Timeout, which presumably would slow down the “Black Mamba”. But Kobe was not done. Just about halfway through the fourth quarter, Bryant made four three pointers in a row in just a fifty-six second span! That was the dagger!
After the game, Kobe was asked what helped him get out of his ten quarter slump. He said that he got angry. When asked if he was angry about playing Argentina next, he responded, “Livid.”
But I respect the Australians performance. Australia was able to stay with the Americans for three quarters. They were only down fourteen going into the fourth and they had it down to six at one point in the third quarter. Back-up San Antonio Spurs point guard Patty Mills led the team with twenty-six points. But Team USA just has too many All-Stars and LeBron James is one of them.
LeBron was absolutely masterful even though he only converted three field goals. He had his first triple double in Olympic history! James scored 11 points, 11 assists, and 14 rebounds. Might I add that he also did not record even one turnover! He did it all.
LeBron’s performance was riveting and he was seeing the court just as well as Magic Johnson did back in the day. There were two plays where James was on the wing and was able to find a three-point shooter in the weak side corner for wide open buckets. He is so big that he has the length to pass it over the defense. James also had a spectacular pass in the first half when he placed the ball perfectly through the defender’s legs finding Carmelo Anthony who got the “and one”.
James is 6’8” but was running around the court like he was Steve Nash in his prime. And at the same time, he was able to lead the team with fourteen rebounds including three on the offensive end of the court. I used to hate “King James” but I just cannot dislike the guy anymore. He is amazingly talented and is the MVP of this Olympic team.
So after a sluggish first half, Team USA was able to trounce Australia 119-86 and move into the semi-finals. Lithuania was close to defeating the Americans earlier this week but they lost to Russia earlier today. So at this point, only a miracle could stop Team USA from winning the gold medal.
Posted in Australia, Basketball, Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Olympics, Team USA, Three-Pointer
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