Sayings From Boxing

I don't like the sport but it has produced a host of sayings used in English. Here are some of them.

Below the belt: Unfair or unsporting. 

Beat (someone) to the punch: Get in first.

On the ropes: In serious trouble.

Blow by blow: A detailed account.

Down for the count: Defeated. 

Keep one's guard up: Watchful.

Ringside seat: A good view.

Throw in the towel: To give up.

Come out swinging: Attack aggressively.

Deliver a knock out punch: Win decisively.

Saved by the bell: Escaping a bad outcome in the last minute.

Roll with the punches: Coping successfully with difficulties.

Sucker punch: Something you didn't see coming. 

Take it on the chin: Bravely accepting negative things.

Toe to toe: Confrontation without backing down.

The gloves are off: Not holding back in attack.

Someone in your corner: A support there for you.

No-Nos to Say to a Sports Official

Things it would be unwise for players to say to a referee:

Specsavers has a good deal on.

Which of their players is your relative?

I know where you live.

When do we get our share of the 50/50 calls?

You're missing a great game, our one.

I don't know what we've done to upset you. 

Could I loan you my rule book?

Summary: Show respect to the match official. 

The Batsman

A living language is always evolving, with some words in the English language being added or discarded. The case below is one of the latter variety.

Batsman. 

In cricket, the term has been used to describe someone who bats as opposed to one who bowls or fields. In 2021, the term batsman was officially replaced by batter. When I hear batter, I immediately think of fish & chips. 

Why the change? Women now play the game so it was decided "to reinforce Cricket's inclusiveness as a game for all". Really? How pathetic! The fact is men who bat are still batsmen, even if women play the game too. If batswoman is not suitable, find a term that does suit women and if batter is that term, so be it. I doubt women cricketers worry about a man being called a batsman anyway.  

There is a third man fielding position and a lower ranked batsman coming in late in the day is called a nightwatchman. I wonder how the PC brigade at the MCC will address these gender excluding terms? Batsman has a long history of usage in the game and to throw it out when it should offend no one sums up the distorted and overbearing reasoning that we are subjected to in today's society. Go for it batsmen.