Are You “Up to Scratch?”: Understanding Boxing Metaphors By: Ashley Mordwinow

Integration of Sports Metaphors “The vocabulary of sports interacts in various ways with... social and political contexts... [and] sports terms become metaphors for all kinds of everyday events and activities” (Saporta). “The vocabulary of sports interacts in various ways with... social and political contexts... [and] sports terms become metaphors for all kinds of everyday events and activities” (Saporta).

Question: Does understanding how a phrase is used in a specific sport increase your understanding of its metaphorical meaning? Does understanding how a phrase is used in a specific sport increase your understanding of its metaphorical meaning?

Two Sides: Side 1 Yes. Those familiar with the literal meaning or origin of the phrase will grasp all of its implications, those unfamiliar with the origins will not. “Frequent use of sports metaphors creates a linguistically unlevel playing field for those who are unfamiliar with sports or with sports metaphors’ idiomatic meanings” (Archer). Yes. Those familiar with the literal meaning or origin of the phrase will grasp all of its implications, those unfamiliar with the origins will not. “Frequent use of sports metaphors creates a linguistically unlevel playing field for those who are unfamiliar with sports or with sports metaphors’ idiomatic meanings” (Archer).

Two Sides: Side 2 No. Sports metaphors have become so commonplace that you don’t have to be familiar with sports to understand them. No. Sports metaphors have become so commonplace that you don’t have to be familiar with sports to understand them.

Methodology Survey at least 30 people, ages 18-28, native speakers of English. Survey at least 30 people, ages 18-28, native speakers of English. Part 1: Describe what each phrase would mean to you in the context of a casual conversation. Part 1: Describe what each phrase would mean to you in the context of a casual conversation. Part 2: Describe what you think each phrase means in the context of sports, specifically in boxing. Part 2: Describe what you think each phrase means in the context of sports, specifically in boxing.

Survey Questions/Results (so far) PhraseCorrectIncorrect At the drop of a hat M: 7 B: 5 M: 2 B: 5 Down and out M: 10 B: 10 M: 5 B: 3 On the ropes M: 4 B: 8 M: 6 B: 3 Cross the line M: 17 B: 2 M: 0 B:4 The gloves are off M: 4 B: 5 M: 4 B: 4

Survey Questions/Results (cont) PhraseCorrectIncorrect Make a clean break M: 9 B: 2 M: 1 B: 13 Saved by the bell M: 9 B: 11 M: 1 B: 0 Throw in the towel M: 17 B: 2 M: 0 B: 3 The real McCoy M: 14 B: 0 M: 2 B: 1 Meet your match M: 6 B: 3 M: 0 B: 7

Tentative Conclusion From the data collected so far, it seems that those who are unfamiliar with boxing still generally understand the metaphorical meanings of boxing phrases, yet they do not always grasp all of the implications (ie: “At the drop of a hat” and “Saved by the bell”). From the data collected so far, it seems that those who are unfamiliar with boxing still generally understand the metaphorical meanings of boxing phrases, yet they do not always grasp all of the implications (ie: “At the drop of a hat” and “Saved by the bell”). Sports phrases are so engrained in our language that they have become disconnected from their origins. Sports phrases are so engrained in our language that they have become disconnected from their origins.

Future Work  Reverse: If you truly understand the metaphor, can you figure out the origins of the phrase?  Gender  Profession