Hockey Talk The Language of the Game

9781551683096

1551683091

Never before has the language of hockey been documented in dictionary form in one all-encompassing volume. From early terms to contemporary, The Complete Hockey Dictionary is the most inclusive and original publication ever undertaken, an authoritative and entertaining reference book to the games long and evolving use of English for its own purpose. The Complete Hockey Dictionary is not an almanac or encyclopedia. It is a place where the language of the game is defined and celebrated, often to humorous effect. What is incorporated within this hefty tome are the words and flavour of the game, the language used to describe and develop hockey from its pre-puck origins in Egypt five thousand years ago right up to the present language used by todays most recognized and respected broadcasters. Words that are familiar to everyone who speaks English take on singular meaning when applied to hockey. For instance, doorstep in hockey parlance is, obviously, not the area immediately in front of a house or home; rather it is the areas in front of the goal crease or net where players park themselves and convert a pass or hammer home a rebound. Only hockey-specific words will be included in the book. General sports terms such as great play or road victory will not be cited as these shed no light on the etymological history of the game of hockey and offer little reward for understanding and enjoying hockey specifically. There is no comparable publication to The Complete Hockey Dictionary. It is a celebration of the language of the game, from early references of the sport to the language embraced by writers in the nineteenth century in cities across North America, to the language made standard by Hall of Fame broadcaster Foster Hewitt from Maple Leaf Gardens, to American usage during the Original Six, to the current language spoken internationally. Informative, amusing, anecdotal, and comprehensive, it is a necessary book for any hockey lover or lover of the English language.