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,…
Giants (NFL football team)
The New York Giants currently play football in Giants Stadium in the Meadowlands - in New Jersey. The club began in 1925. The name "Giants" has long been used by New York's National…
Glambling (glamorous + gambling; glam + bling)
"Glambling" (glamorous + gambling; glam + bling) is an infrequently used term, usually to describe people (especially women) dressed in high fashion at a casino. "The Art of…
Glue Guy (team player)
A "glue guy" is usually not the biggest star, but a player who does all the little things to help a team win. THe term was used in baseball in the 1940s and 1950s. "(New York Yankees…
Golden Gloves (boxing)
The "Golden Gloves" amateur boxing competitions began in New York City in 1927. The competition has been long associated with the Daily News (sponsor) and Madison Square Garden…
Gordie Howe Hat Trick (one goal, one assist and one fight)
A "hat trick" in ice hockey is when a player scores three goals in one game. Gordie Howe (1928-2016) played professional hockey from 1946–1971 and then from 1973–1980; he was known…
Grand Slam (horse racing)
The Triple Crown of thoroughbred racing in the United States consists of three races -- the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. Many sports have a group of four top events…
Grand Slam (tennis)
Many sports have a group of four top events called the "Grand Slam." The four tennis Grand Slam events are the Australian Open (mid January), French Open (May and June), Wimbledon (June…
Graveyard of Champions or Graveyard of Favorites (Saratoga Race Course)
The Saratoga Race Course has the nickname "Graveyard of Champions" or "Graveyard of Favorites." At Saratoga in 1919, Man O'War lost for the first time to Upset in the…
Great Under Major Pressure (GUMP)
"Great Under Major Pressure (GUMP)" is a popular term in South Florida high school football, where it began. Miami (FL) Northwestern High School starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and…
Hack-a-Player or Hack-a-Shaq (basketball foul strategy)
Shaquille O'Neal was a powerful force in the NBA when he got the basketball near the basket, but he was only a .527 career free throw shooter. Teams tried a "hack-a-Shaq" strategy --…