Fansville
The base ball "fan" (sports enthusiast) has been cited in print from Kansas City, Missouri, in May 1885. "Fansville" is the name of a fictional town where fans live and support…
FBI (football intelligence/instincts)
"FBI" usually stands for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In football, "FBI" stands for "football intelligence" or "football instincts." Football teams…
Fifth Avenue Mile
The Fifth Avenue Mile is sponsored by New York Road Runners. Since 1981, it's been run for one mile down Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. The popular race has had various sponsorships, including…
Fight of the Century (boxing billing)
Many boxing matches have been hyped as the "fight of the century." John L. Sullivan against Jake Kilrain in 1889 was called "the biggest fight of the century" and "the…
Final Four (four remaining tournament players or teams)
The "Final Four" are the four teams or contestants in a tournament; there are semi-final games and then the final game. The NCAA has trademarked "Final Four" for its college…
Five-Cent Series (Five-Cent World Series)
When the New York Yankees play the New York Giants, or the Brooklyn Dodgers, or now the New York Mets in a baseball World Series, it's called a "Subway Series." The first three…
Five-Tool Player (a complete baseball player)
A "five-tool" baseball player usually refers to a non-pitcher who has a complete ability to play baseball -- someone who can hit for average, hit for power, run, throw and catch. "He…
FOMOF (Fear Of Missing Out on Football)
"FOMO" (Fear Of Missing Out) has been cited in print since 2004. For the 2013 NFL football season, Verizon advertised "FOMOF" (Fear Of Missing Out on Football). A September 2013…
FOMOH or FOMOOH (Fear Of Missing Out on Hockey)
"FOMO" (Fear Of Missing Out) has been cited in print since 2004. For the 2013 NFL football season, Verizon advertised "FOMOF" (Fear Of Missing Out on Football). A September 2013…
Fort Neverlose (Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum)
Hockey's New York Islanders played in the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum and were so successful in the 1980s that the Coliseum was dubbed "Fort Neverlose." "Fort Never…
Frying Pan Circuit (small-time racetracks)
The “frying pan circuit” (also called the “leaky roof circuit”) referred to the small-time racetracks in horceracing. The “frying pan circuit” was the opposite of the “Big Apple”…
Fun City Bowl
"Fun City" is a New York City nickname that originated with Mayor John Lindsay (1921-2000) on his first week in office in January 1966. The nickname was satirically used and quickly lost…
G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time)
The boxer Muhammad Ali (then called Cassius Clay; 1942-2016) said "I'm the greatest (heavyweight of all time)" since at least 1962. A 1977 biographical film about Ali was titled The…
Gang Green (New York Jets nickname)
Somewhat later than "Big Blue" (Giants) came "Gang Green" (Jets). The nickname comes from the green color of the Jets' uniforms and logos. Although "Gang Green"…
Garrison Finish
A "Garrison finish" is a come-from-behind win at the last second. It was named, naturally enough, after a jockey named Edward H. "Snapper" Garrison (1868-1930). According to…
Gatorade Shower (Gatorade Bath)
Entry in progress -- B.PGatorade Wikipedia: Gatorade showerThe Gatorade shower, also known as the Gatorade dunk and the Gatorade bath, is an American sports tradition that involves dumping a cooler…
Gentleman’s Sweep (4-1 series win)
A seven-game series "sweep" is when a sports team wins four straight games, losing none. A five-game series "sweep" is when a team wins three straight games, losing none.…
Gentlemen Only Ladies Forbidden (“golf” backronym)
The etymology of the word "golf" is uncertain, but it's unlikely that "golf" is an acronym. It is sometimes claimed that "golf" is an acronym of a sign that was…
Gentlemen’s Sweep (4-1 series win)
A seven-game series "sweep" is when a sports team wins four straight games, losing none. A five-game series "sweep" is when a team wins three straight games, losing none.…
Giants (National League baseball team, now in San Francisco)
The "Giants" nickname has been much disputed through the years. It has been claimed that it was coined by manager Jim Mutrie (1851-1938). A date of June 3, 1885 is often given. Certainly,…