In the ever-escalating exchange between Mikewebb68 and IGNORE on the basketball board, the term Boatrace was used a few times, I think by Mike, to describe blowout games he had seen recently.
I have heard the term a few times, though not often, and was wondering what the origin is. Years ago, I had heard it in England, and it had a decidedly obscene meaning. That usage aside, I was wondering how boatrace came to be used to describe one team pretty much dominating another. I assume it is derived from competitive rowing, but that is a guess on my part.
I grew up in a pretty landlocked part of the Midwest, certainly one that had very little boat culture (except for fishing boats, and the idea of racing them would seem pretty weird.
When I moved to California, I definitely had more proximity to boats of all varieties, and some friends of my kids participated in competitive rowing, as crew is a pretty popular extracurricular, particularly for those who were not suited to the sports I was more accustomed to. About 5 years ago a friend suggested I read "The Boys in the Boat" by Daniel James Brown. I did not intend to read it, but one night when I was fighting insomnia I did, and found it to be an excellent book that combines sports, history (particularly the 1936 Olympics) and social commentary. I highly recommend it.
The book details the rise of the University Washington 8-oar crew, their rise to prominence in intercollegiate and then Olympic rowing, and what the participation meant to the guys who experienced it. One thing I learned from the book was that the Cal boathouse and home course is a short walk from my house, and has been since the 1930's. I wandered up the street a few times to watch races, and learned a little as the skulls glided by.
All of that is to say that the last thing a race between 2 skulls would describe to me based on my limited observations is a blowout basketball game. I could see where when a wide receiver beats a cornerback by two steps and catches a long pass for a touchdown with the defensive back 2 strides behind all the way down the field, it would resemble a boatrace. But I just don't get it relative to something like basketball.
If someone could enlighten me, I would appreciate it!
I have heard the term a few times, though not often, and was wondering what the origin is. Years ago, I had heard it in England, and it had a decidedly obscene meaning. That usage aside, I was wondering how boatrace came to be used to describe one team pretty much dominating another. I assume it is derived from competitive rowing, but that is a guess on my part.
I grew up in a pretty landlocked part of the Midwest, certainly one that had very little boat culture (except for fishing boats, and the idea of racing them would seem pretty weird.
When I moved to California, I definitely had more proximity to boats of all varieties, and some friends of my kids participated in competitive rowing, as crew is a pretty popular extracurricular, particularly for those who were not suited to the sports I was more accustomed to. About 5 years ago a friend suggested I read "The Boys in the Boat" by Daniel James Brown. I did not intend to read it, but one night when I was fighting insomnia I did, and found it to be an excellent book that combines sports, history (particularly the 1936 Olympics) and social commentary. I highly recommend it.
The book details the rise of the University Washington 8-oar crew, their rise to prominence in intercollegiate and then Olympic rowing, and what the participation meant to the guys who experienced it. One thing I learned from the book was that the Cal boathouse and home course is a short walk from my house, and has been since the 1930's. I wandered up the street a few times to watch races, and learned a little as the skulls glided by.
All of that is to say that the last thing a race between 2 skulls would describe to me based on my limited observations is a blowout basketball game. I could see where when a wide receiver beats a cornerback by two steps and catches a long pass for a touchdown with the defensive back 2 strides behind all the way down the field, it would resemble a boatrace. But I just don't get it relative to something like basketball.
If someone could enlighten me, I would appreciate it!
