Jan 10, 2005 12:20
19 yrs ago
English term
ununderstandable dialog
English
Art/Literary
Poetry & Literature
A. But your boy here great in the locker room, he gets the boots on, gets the spikes on gets on the field and falls flat on his face. What do you think?
B. There's gonna be a come from behind victory here. He's gonna sweep up behind.
A. But you'll admit he's already behind the 8-ball, right?
B. He's not being his usual clear, eloquent self.
I don't have any clue to what they are talking about.
B. There's gonna be a come from behind victory here. He's gonna sweep up behind.
A. But you'll admit he's already behind the 8-ball, right?
B. He's not being his usual clear, eloquent self.
I don't have any clue to what they are talking about.
Responses
| 4 +7 | explanation |
Kevin Kelly
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| 4 | clue : 8-ball |
María Roberto (X)
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Responses
+7
20 mins
Kevin Kelly
Native in English
&
English
Impeccable quality, on-time delivery.
Native in: English
Works in: Russian to English, English to Russian, English
Related KudoZ points
:
20
Selected
explanation
This is probably a conversation between a sportswriter/sportscaster and the manager of a baseball team.
A. "Your boy" (a player on the team) does a lot of bragging before the game ("great in the locker room") but when the game actually starts he doesn't perform well.
B. He (the player in question) will come through at the last moment and win the game for us. (Probably baseball: the last batter who drives in the runners ahead of him is said to "sweep up.")
A. But you'll admit that he is already at a disadvantage? ("Behind the 8-ball" means to be at a disadvantage.)
B. He (the player in question) has probably not made clear and unequivocal predictions of success like he usually does.
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Note added at 27 mins (2005-01-10 12:48:42 GMT)
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Please note that the above is an explanation of the gist of the conversation. I used an obviously higher register.
A. "Your boy" (a player on the team) does a lot of bragging before the game ("great in the locker room") but when the game actually starts he doesn't perform well.
B. He (the player in question) will come through at the last moment and win the game for us. (Probably baseball: the last batter who drives in the runners ahead of him is said to "sweep up.")
A. But you'll admit that he is already at a disadvantage? ("Behind the 8-ball" means to be at a disadvantage.)
B. He (the player in question) has probably not made clear and unequivocal predictions of success like he usually does.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 27 mins (2005-01-10 12:48:42 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Please note that the above is an explanation of the gist of the conversation. I used an obviously higher register.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
SMLS
5 mins
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Thank you, JPM.
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| agree |
David Knowles
: Well, despite living in the US for three years, I don't recall "behind the 8 ball"", but then I was never a baseball fan! What does it actually mean?
1 hr
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Thank you, David. It's not a baseball expression; willmatter explains the origin and meaning quite nicely below.
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| agree |
Alexander Demyanov
1 hr
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Thank you, Alexander.
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| agree |
tr. (X)
1 hr
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Thank you, Traweb.
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| agree |
Will Matter
: "Behind the 8 ball" actually comes from pool (snooker) & means "to be in a disadvantaged/disadvantageous position" tactically/strategically/logistically or otherwise...
1 hr
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Thank you. I was aware of the origin; probably should have pointed it out to avoid confusion.
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| agree |
RHELLER
: agree but "boots with spikes" has me confounded - doesn't sound like baseball
2 hrs
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Thanks, Rita. The boots with spikes also gave me pause, and leads to me think that perhaps the context is not necessarily baseball, but sports in general.
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| agree |
Asghar Bhatti
3 hrs
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Thank you, Asghar.
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thank you!"
18 mins
clue : 8-ball
They are playing with words, like in the 8- ball game.
Who is the writter? I ask you because it has to do with the style.
Who is the writter? I ask you because it has to do with the style.
Discussion