How Has Boxing Affected The English Language?

[chung]

I am writing an article for my local newspaper about how the sport of boxing has affected the english language over the years.

comment please

[nipsey]

Well, the boxing forums sure are dumbed down a lot. A ton of the posters on these forums don't make sense of what they're trying to say. You'd have to read it a few times before you can understand. How has it affected the English language? Why would you even write a story like this?

[Pat_Lowe]

Many famous quotes or sayings have come from boxing over the years. A few I believe are:

"He can run but he can't hide"-Joe Louis

"The bigger they are the harder they fall"-Joe Louis

Not up to scratch

Saved by the bell

Back against the ropes

[TBooze]

Loads and loads sayings and meanings come from boxing

Betting stake

Comming up to scratch

Toeing the line

The real McCoy

Are just four...

[o_money]

Many famous quotes or sayings have come from boxing over the years. A few I believe are:

"He can run but he can't hide"-Joe Louis

"The bigger they are the harder they fall"-Joe Louis

Not up to scratch

Saved by the bell

Back against the ropes

"This makes Cinderella look like a sad story" One of countless Larry merchant gems.

and

"if your a good mechanic your going to get dirty"


are two lines that come to mind.


The heightened drama that goes with the physical aspect of boxing has until very recently been an outlet for some of the best literary minds (Hemmingway being the most prominent that comes to mind). And again until recently it has always been covered by literary/poetically adapt journalist. So I guess that could be considered an affect its had on the English language.

[Stinky gloves]

new popular phrases:

bum
tomato can
china chin
glass chin
journeyman
nuthugger
I make you my bitch
I will eat your children
chicken dance
he cannot talk money with me
...

[theunderdog]

ask stinky gloves! he's esb's resident expert on both fields. ask him about filipinos too!!!

[codeman99998]

Beating someone to the punch is a boxing phrase, used now in common english all the time.

[China_hand_Joe]

Pound for Pound

Lacyed

[hellblazer]

Patsy
Manila Ice
Pedicab/tricycle drivers
shot/washed up fighters

[Stinky gloves]

ask stinky gloves! he's esb's resident expert on both fields. ask him about filipinos too!!!

You the grammar freek right? Say finally something interesting The Underfuckyourself

... wait, wait I have new term: china chin a la Rey "Bum Bum" Bautista:rofl

[Rock0052]

My defense is impregnable, cure for insomnia

[Brickhaus]

Some boxing phrases that have worked their way into the American vernacular, at the very least (some already mentioned above):

- Throw in the towel / sponge
- Saved by the bell
- up against the ropes
- Rope-a-dope
- Answered the bell

Edit - deleted one that came from elsewhere and added the last one

[EL BULLY]

sucker punch
gloves are off
queer street
verbal sparring
boxing clever

also one can be said to be 'in the corner' of a person/issue that thet support.

out on their feet
backed into a corner
on the ropes
toe to toe

[EL BULLY]

Loads and loads sayings and meanings come from boxing

Betting stake

Comming up to scratch

Toeing the line

The real McCoy

Are just four...

Toeing the line is from british politics, not boxing.

[TBooze]

Toeing the line is from british politics, not boxing.

It comes from the 1700's when a fighter had to put his toe on the (scratch) line to show he was capable of fighting another round. As well as toeing the line the phrase coming up to scratch also was created because of this.

[TBooze]

- Southpaw


Boxing nicked it, it comes from baseball.

[EL BULLY]

It comes from the 1700's when a fighter had to put his toe on the (scratch) line to show he was capable of fighting another round. As well as toeing the line the phrase coming up to scratch also was created because of this.

I understand that toeing the line came from within the houses of parliment. Two lines are etched on the floor of the main chamber with just enough distance in between to prevent any contact between two outstretched arms and swords. The phrase 'to toe the line' meant to 'step up to the plate' i suppose is the modern equivolent, or to basically enter the arena and 'fight your corner' (another boxing phrase that has crossed over).

I definatley read somewhere that that was the origin of the phrase, but I wouldn't bet on it as I can't remember the source.

[TBooze]

I understand that toeing the line came from within the houses of parliment. Two lines are etched on the floor of the main chamber with just enough distance in between to prevent any contact between two outstretched arms and swords. The phrase 'to toe the line' meant to 'step up to the plate' i suppose is the modern equivolent, or to basically enter the arena and 'fight your corner' (another boxing phrase that has crossed over).

I definatley read somewhere that that was the origin of the phrase, but I wouldn't bet on it as I can't remember the source.

You may be right, the originality of some phrases are very often very hard to pin point down, and your point makes sense.

[EL BULLY]

You may be right, the originality of some phrases are very often very hard to pin point down, and your point makes sense.

Just looked at Wickipedia and both our stories are present with no conclusive proof either is correct.

We have a split decision!!:good

[TBooze]

Just looked at Wickipedia and both our stories are present with no conclusive proof either is correct.

We have a split decision!!:good

If it is on Wickipedia were both wrong!

[EL BULLY]

If it is on Wickipedia were both wrong!

Only looked it up to try and 'beat you to the punch' in case you did.

[chesh]

"Punching his weight", "Take it on the chin", "Had me in a corner" are used in non-boxing contexts.

[Betty Swollocks]

Lennox Lewis ass a commentator has definitely added something, definitely.

[TBooze]

A few more:

Purse

whip-round

Throwing your cap in the ring

Lick any son of a bitch in the house

[chesh]

"A low blow" used generally as well.

[chung]

i thought lennox was a rubbish commentator