“If figure skating was easy, it would be called hockey”

“If figure skating was/were easy, it would be called hockey” is a saying that has appeared on many gift items, such as T-shirts, mugs and bumper stickers. “If figure skating were easy, it would be called hockey” has been cited in print since at least June 1997.
 
Sayings with a similar theme include “If gymnastics were easy, it would be called football” and “If cheerleading were any easier, it would be called football.”
     
 
Google Groups: rec.sport.skating.ice.figure
JustinPop
6/29/97
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“If figure skating were easy, it would be called hockey”
 
29 March 1998, Star-Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN), “A delicate balance”:
.. T-shirts (“If figure skating were easy, they’d call it hockey!”) ...
 
13 February 1999, Anchorage (AK) Daily News, pg. B6:
“If figure skating was easy, they’d call it hockey.”
 
That’s Right, Kid
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2004
if figure skating was easy; it’d be called hockey.
hee, this figure skater guy had that slogan on his T today. i find it funny cuz there’s always been a slight rivalry between hockey and figure skaters. the hockey’s find figure skating sissy and geeky and the f.skater’s find them brash, rude with no class at all.
it’s quite funny akshulli; both feeling disdainful of each other and being unhappy at the space the other takes up.
 
13 November 2004, Indianapolis (IN) Star, “Miracle on Ice: Fort Wayne heart transplant recipient, 13, is a skating medalist” by T. J. Banes, Indiana Living, pg. F1:
“My favorite saying is, ‘If figure skating were easy, they’d call it hockey.’”
 
Urban Dictionary
figure skater
one who partakes in the sport of figure skating and is an extremely sexy performer when they take the ice. “if figure skating were easy, they’d call it hockey”
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by sheils Jul 21, 2005
 
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If figure skating was easy it would be called hockey
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