Euphemisms

rainmaker · #1 (**permalink**) Wed Jan 09, 2002, 01:08pm

Last week, I heard a player say, "Why can't we get the friggin' ball in the friggin' basket?" It was under her breath, directed at a teammate. I didn't call anything or say anything, because I wasn't sure I should. If my own kids say that, they get the same treatment as the F-bomb, but of course, I can't apply all my home rules on the court!
How do others here feel about using the various euphemisms on the court?

BigDave · #2 (**permalink**) Wed Jan 09, 2002, 01:28pm

A show of frustration is part of the game. We are officials, not priests.

When it gets out of hand, deal with it, but don't go looking for trouble.

mick · #3 (**permalink**) Wed Jan 09, 2002, 01:38pm

Jewel,
I have no preconceived guidlines regarding player speak.
I go on the premise that I'll know it when I hear it.
If the bell goes off, I'll ring 'em up.
mick

bard · #4 (**permalink**) Wed Jan 09, 2002, 02:00pm

My guess is that most kids don't know what "friggin" means. Most people don't, either. It's roughly the same as the "F-bomb" to which you referred. With this one, I would pass just like I would if they said the "darn ball."

I have zero tolerance for blatant profanity if I see who says it. It's unsportsmanlike and detracts from the game. Furthermore, there are usually small kids in the bleachers, and that sets a bad example. There was one last night behind my back, but I couldn't ID the offender.

What constitutes blatant? I guess I go with Mick. I know it when I hear it and the "bell goes off!"

rockyroad · #5 (**permalink**) Wed Jan 09, 2002, 02:03pm

It's not always what they say - sometimes it's the way they say it...a player looks right at you and yells "Oh, nice call" derisively while clapping their hands - you might T them for that...in your case, it was said between teammates, so why bother with it?

w_sohl · #6 (**permalink**) Wed Jan 09, 2002, 02:40pm

I would tell the kid to be careful if it was directed towards him(her)self or his/her teammates. If it was directed towards the other team it is automatic and without hesitation.

MOFFICIAL · #7 (**permalink**) Wed Jan 09, 2002, 03:53pm

IMO the kid was controlled enough to know better than to use the "foul" language I would not T.

Mark Dexter · #8 (**permalink**) Wed Jan 09, 2002, 07:18pm

What about swears in languages other than English? If you were 110% sure that a kid was using profanity in Spanish or French or Russian, etc., would you give him/her a technical foul?