Sports Slang

There is no shortage of acronyms and abbreviations used in sports. Each sport has its own shorthand, so it can be difficult to remember what all the different abbreviations mean. The following list is a good reference to help you understand the meaning of all the slang terms used during sporting events and in the post-game analysis. You can also view specific baseball slang, golf slang, and fantasy football slang.

Slang Term Meaning Votes
vsVersus
ptsPoints
StudA highly skilled individual
BFBatters faced
WWin
GOATGreatest of all time
ClutchAbility to perform under pressure
PBPersonal best
FFFantasy football
SkolGood health
Throw the gameLose the game on purpose
ownageCompletely owned
GFGames finished
MLBMajor League Baseball
AceHole in one
DQDisqualify
Beast modeDominating gameplay
WWEWorld Wrestling Entertainment
RBIRuns batted in
DFSDaily Fantasy Sports
CeilingUpside of a player
HRHome run
SBSuper Bowl
TaterHome run
BasebrawlBaseball brawl
MVPMost valuable player
ROYRookie of the Year
MulliganRedo
March MadnessNCAA Basketball Tournament
WRWide receiver
LFGLet's freaking go
NBANational Basketball Association
DLDisabled list
CloserA relief pitcher that finishes a baseball game
Set the tableTo get on base so other hitters can score the baserunners
NHLNational Hockey League
avgBatting average
LLosses
Mendoza line.200 batting average
RundownBaserunner stranded between two bases
Bush leagueAmateur play
FFLFantasy football league
HandcuffA fantasy football backup player
YPGYards per game
LeBroningFlopping
2BSecond base
Chin musicPitch that nearly hits the batter's head
Can of cornAn easy catch by a fielder
Snake draftDraft where the last pick in one round is the first in the next
KayfabePretending something fake is real
BOATBest of all time
refReferee
SBStolen bases
IRInjured reserve
Bracket busterA team that upsets a highly ranked team
Victory lapGolf ball that spins around the hole then falls in
Texas wedgePutt from off the green
PPRPoints per reception
TETight end
GhostshipA fantasy football team with no owner
Trade baitA good player that entices other teams to trade for him
PFPoints for
WashedNo longer good
OTOvertime
FanboyA dedicated male fan
statsStatistics
WCWWorld Championship Wrestling
WheelsFast legs
One and doneA single elimination tournament
LeatherDefense ability
DPDouble play
TPTriple play
Waiver hawkA fantasy sports owner who patrols the waiver wire
HonorsHit first from the tee in golf
RBRunning back
recReceptions
Half-PPRHalf-point per reception league
SweeperA breaking ball that sweeps horizontally
WCWorld Cup
FIFAFédération Internationale de Football Association
NLDSNational League Division Series
MashTo hit a baseball well
HomerHome run
SingleHit that results in the batter getting to first base
SLGSlugging percentage
shipChampionship
CinderellaUnderdog sports team
JAGJust a guy
Paint the cornerTo pitch the ball over the edge of home plate
DERDefensive Efficiency Rating
SteezeStyle and ease
WRWorld record
Saddam HusseinGolf shot from one bunker into another bunker
Draft dasherA fantasy football owner who drafts a team and abandons it
SleeperA player drafted late but exceeds expectations
RB1Starting fantasy running back
WR1First starting fantasy wide receiver
Vulture backA running back who takes scoring chances from the starter
UndroppableA player who cannot be dropped from a fantasy team
StreamRotating players in and out of a lineup
BullishPositive outlook
DegenA gambler who makes foolish bets
MarkA fan who believes pro wrestling is real
PullTo hit a ball to the same side of the field in which you bat
OPSOn-base Plus Slugging Percentage
Final FourLast four competitors
AAssists
MadduxComplete game shutout with less than 100 pitches
Bases juicedBaserunners on all three bases
Grand SlamWinning the four major golf tournaments
SVSaves
YakkerCurve ball
ToggerSoccer
BruhFriend
Put him on skatesTo make a person stumble over himself
DNFDid not finish
ADPAverage draft position
FishCasual fantasy sports player
SharkAn experienced fantasy sports player
ReachTo draft a player too soon
BearishNegative outlook
Busted bracketA ruined tournament prediction
UpsJumping ability
MMAMixed martial arts
SivBad goaltender
FOMOFFear of missing out on football
ALCSAmerican League Championship Series
DingerHome run
LCSLeague Championship Series
RuthianPowerful
GrounderA baseball hit on the ground
DoubleHit that results in the batter getting to second base
TripleHit that results in the batter getting to third base
ppdPostponed
On the screwsHard hit
RRuns
TCTotal chances
BagA base
GSHGrand Slams
SteezyStyle and ease
And oneA play where a player is fouled while making a basket
MBFAMake baseball fun again
SnowmanGolf score of 8
HangmanGolf score of 9
Auction draftA fantasy sports draft where owners bid on players
QBQuarterback
FlierGamble on a risky player
FlyerGamble on a risky player
FleecingTaking advantage of a person through a trade
attAttempts
tarReceiving targets
FloorDownside of a player
Put overMake someone look good
Unforced errorAn easily-avoidable mistake
PosterizeTo dunk on an opponent
Triple-doubleAchieving double digits in three categories in a basketball game
Ball don't lieYou get what you deserve
CookedDefeated
Talking smackSaying disrespectful things
defDefense
NFCNational Football Conference
ERAEarned run average
ABAt bat
YardHome run
KStrikeout
SOStrikeouts
ALDSAmerican League Division Series
BombA home run
SPStarting pitcher
CCatcher
MeatballEasy pitch to hit
Baltimore chopBaseball hit that takes a large hop over an infielder
1BFirst base
WARWins Above Replacement
ACLAnterior cruciate ligament
Sweet SixteenLast 16 teams in a tournament
Elite EightLast eight teams of March Madness
BracketDiagram of tournament games
E7Error made by the left fielder
RubberPitcher's plate
On deckBatting second
Cellar dwellerA team constantly in last place
Shoestring catchCatch made just above a player's shoes
CellarLast place
Four baggerHome run
Sweet spotThe part of the bat that provides the best contact
Twin killingTwo outs on the same play
Turn twoTo record a double play
LeadoffFirst batter in the lineup
CleanupPlayer batting fourth in the lineup
fpctFielding percentage
Two baggerDouble
CheddarGood fastball
ShelledBeaten badly
Round-tripperHome run
OROlympic record
IOCInternational Olympic Committee
RainmakerHigh trajectory golf shot
SleptTo hit someone hard
DropA ball dropped from a golfer's outstretched arm
AlbatrossThree strokes under par
dDefense
QBBCQuarterback by committee
intInterception
FRFumble recovery
Damaged goodsA person who has one or more major flaws
oprkOpponent ranking
fumTotal fumbles
sckSacks
sftySafety
TruthinessTruth based on feelings
MinnowWeak fantasy sports player
Woj bombA breaking report by Adrian Wojnarowski
Get bucketsTo dominate
Millennial baseballA baseball strategy of swinging for home runs instead of base hits
ZebraA game official
MLBPAMajor League Baseball Players Association
LOOGYLeft-handed One Out Guy
Cut a promoStage a promotional interview
On firePerforming very well
FadeTo purposely disregard a player
CR7Cristiano Ronaldo
CannonAn impressive throwing arm
1QFirst quarter
LettuceThick, curly, beautiful hair
TunnelingThrowing different pitches with a similar trajectory to fool hitters
Buzzer beaterA score made as the buzzer sounds
Foul baitActing to get a foul called
BPABest player available
Bubble teamA team on the edge of qualifying for a tournament
HooperA skilled basketball player
FTMFWFor the mother f***ing win
HOFHall of fame
tourneyTournament
JockAthlete
HGHHuman growth hormone
GoonAn unintelligent, often muscular person
WWFWorld Wrestling Federation
AFCAmerican Football Conference
USMNTUnited States Men's National Team
USWNTUnited States Women's National Team
BBBases on balls
CSCaught stealing
NLCSNational League Championship Series
AceBest starting pitcher
RPRelief pitcher
Ride the pineSit on the bench
Hot cornerThird base
PPitcher
CycleSingle, double, triple, and home run
BloopWeakly hit fly ball
3BThird base
LFLeft field
CFCenter field
RFRight field
OFOutfield
SSShortstop
CFPCollege Football Playoff
TNFThursday Night Football
Cutting down the netsWon a basketball tournament
BracketologyPredicting who will win a tournament
E3Error made by the first baseman
E4Error made by the second baseman
E5Error made by the third baseman
E6Error made by the shortstop
E8Error made by the center fielder
E9Error made by the right fielder
Around the hornDouble play from third to second to first base
Double playTwo outs on the same play
Triple playThree outs on the same play
Bronx cheerNoise that signals mockery
BrushbackPitch that almost hits the hitter
High and tightHigh and inside pitch
PickleBaserunner stranded between two bases
HotboxBaserunner stranded between two bases
DishHome plate
HillPitcher's mound
In the holeBatting third
CheeseGood fastball
WheelhouseHitter's power zone
On the buttonHard hit ball
Uncle CharlieCurve ball
Touch em allHome run
WSWorld Series
LOBLeft on base
SFSacrifice Flies
XBHExtra base hits
GSGames started
Grand SlamA four-run home run
Paint the blackTo pitch the ball over the edge of home plate
Circus catchAcrobatic catch
GGames played
innInnings played
Three baggerTriple
Annie OakleyFree pass
Charity stripeFree throw line
Bases loadedBaserunners on all three bases
HBHit batsmen
hldHold
IPInnings pitched
IRAInherited runs allowed
Lift the silverwareWin a trophy
SupersubA player who often scores as a substitute
Grand SlamWinning the four major tennis tournaments
LIPSLate inning pressured situations
RWRelief wins
FiremanLate-inning relief pitcher
Put out firesGet out of difficult situations
PeaA ball traveling at a high speed
PunchoutStrikeout
CutterA breaking fastball
Pin-seekerGolf shot hit straight at the flagstick
Worm burnerVery low golf shot
NukedHit a golf ball a great distance
Alec GuinnessOut-of-bounds
Die in the holeGolf shot that makes it to the hole and falls in
Keeper leagueFantasy sports league where you keep your players
RBBCRunning back by committee
Serpentine draftDraft where the last pick in one round is the first in the next
Fire saleWhen an owner trades players away
Front nineFirst nine holes of an 18-hole golf course
GimmeEasy golf putt
Scratch golferA golfer with a handicap of zero
IDPIndividual defensive player
projProjected
FlexFantasy football position that can be a RB, WR, or TE
QB1First starting fantasy quarterback
Garbage timeTime during a blowout game where strategies change
PAPoints against
HonnoldingStanding up straight on a narrow ledge with your back to the wall
ILInjured list
HeelVillain
PRPersonal record
chipChampionship
HopsJumping ability
Putting on a clinicPerforming exceptionally well
oppoOpposite field
Double-doubleAchieving double digits in two categories in a basketball game
JuicingTaking performance-enhancing drugs
Got that dog in himDriven to succeed
DBDefensive back
De-cleatedHit very hard
Hockey hairLong, flowing hair with flipped wings
Own goalA counterproductive decision
HandlesThe ability to handle a basketball
RockA basketball
Breaking anklesCausing a player to stumble
Revenge arcQuest to get revenge
JuicedMuscular from steroids
LumberBaseball bat
Go deepHit a home run
ShoveTo pitch well
BABIPBatting average on balls in play
Oppo boppoOpposite field home run
He's himHe is impressive
Breakfast ballA redo shot from the first tee
PickAn interception
TuddyTouchdown
nattyNational championship
LANKLet a naysayer know
Walk-offA score that instantly wins a game
Locked inDoing well
KOKnockout
Foul merchantA player known for drawing fouls
hesiHesitation
Heat checkTaking a difficult shot after making several in a row
ClampDefensive domination
Web gemAn amazing defensive play
BombA massive wave
Unethical hooperA skilled basketball player who uses annoying tactics
Ethical hooperA basketball player who relies on pure skill to dominate
MeboundA rebound by a player from their own missed shot
HoopsBasketball
HMPHalf marathon pace
PEDPerformance enhancing drug
Circle buttonSpin move
HeaterFastball
Tater trotHome run trot
SouthpawLeft-handed pitcher
HomerHometown sports fan
JamTo pitch near a batter's hands
Line driveHard hit baseball in the air
Texas LeaguerWeak fly ball hit to the outfield
MNFMonday Night Football
OROYOffensive Rookie of the Year
RPIRatings Percentage Index
EErrors
E1Error made by the pitcher
Alley oopA pass to a teammate who puts the ball in the basket
Blowing a raspberryMaking a jeering noise
GIDPGround into double play
NPNumber of pitches
Table setterA player who gets on base so other hitters can hit him in
RopeLine drive baseball hit
Frozen ropeLine drive baseball hit
IBBIntentional bases on balls
OFAOutfield assists
RFRange factor
PBPassed balls
AOFly outs
Golden SlamTennis Grand Slam and the Olympics gold medal
Super SlamTennis Grand Slam and Year-End Championship
PAPlate appearances
Backdoor sliderA pitch that breaks over the plate
WhiffSwinging strikeout
ParNumber of strokes to complete a golf course hole
BirdieOne stroke under par
Nineteenth holeGolf clubhouse bar
ReloadTo take another shot after a bad shot
OBOut-of-bounds
Nip itHit a golf ball cleanly
Amelia EarhartGolf shot that looks good but you can't find
Back-door puttPutt that spins around a hole and drops in
Danny DeVitoFive foot putt
SquirrelTee shot into the rough
BustA player who does not perform well
BreakoutA player who performs surprisingly well
Mock draftSimulated draft
Bare lieA golf ball laying directly on the ground
Tight lieA golf ball laying directly on the ground
Double eagleThree strokes under par
ForeWatch out
HandicapNumerical score that represents a golfer's ability
Ready golfGolfers hit when ready
Inward nineLast nine holes of an 18-hole golf course
RB2Second starting fantasy running back
QB2Second starting fantasy quarterback
WR2Second starting fantasy wide receiver
WR3Third starting fantasy wide receiver
KKicker
FPGFantasy points per game
ydsYards
YACYards after catch
YPAYards per attempt
prkPosition rank
iInterception
VARVideo assistant referee
WOATWorst of all time
FaceHero
cellyCelebration
WorkA scripted event
Worked shootA scripted event that contains unscripted elements
Olympic grandmaAn old female Olympian
OGOlympic grandma
SmarkA fan who knows pro wrestling is scripted
TweenerA wrestler who is neither hero nor villain
BallinPlaying sports well
Take the LTake the loss
SteeStyle
Yard saleA bad crash
BrickA shot that squarely clangs off the rim or backboard
BricklayerA basketball player who is shooting a lot of bricks
Dropping dimesMaking difficult passes for assists in basketball
DimeAssist
FMVPFinals Most Valuable Player
FKTFastest known time
R2RRim-to-rim
SwishA made shot in basketball that hits only the net
DowntownBeyond the 3-point line
SplashA made shot that only touches the basketball net
JumperJump shot
Making it rainHitting 3-point shots
FlopAn exaggerated fall
Air ballA missed shot that doesn't hit the rim or backboard
BucketA made basketball shot
Trey3-point shot attempt
Ice coldShooting poorly
predPredator
Clean sheetShutout
RinsedDefeated
CBCornerback
DSTDefense and Special Teams
3QThird quarter
4QFourth quarter
Three-peatWinning a championship three times in a row
ThrowingLosing a winnable game on purpose
Four-peatWinning a championship four times in a row
Coast to coastThe entire length of a playing field
DeadlyExcellent
NutmegKicking the ball between an opponent's legs
CGSOComplete game shutout
Go deepRun a route far downfield
MossedCatching a football over another player
Tush pushA play where the quarterback is pushed to gain yards
Brotherly shoveA play where the quarterback is shoved to gain yards
Pick-sixAn interception returned for a touchdown
Red zoneArea between the 20-yard line and the goal line
roidsSteroids
dubWin
SweepWinning all the games in a series
Gentleman's sweepWinning all the games in a series except one
MiddyMid-range jump shot
PUPPhysically unable to perform
EPOErythropoietin
CGComplete games
DROYDefensive Rookie of the Year
GOGround outs
bkBalks
AEWAll Elite Wrestling
2QSecond quarter
OTBOff the board
pl8Plate
BallerA cool person
OwnedDominated
NWONew World Order
jJump shot
RibbyRun batted in
EREarned runs
OBPOn-base Percentage
E2Error made by the catcher
HBPHit by pitch
TPATotal plate appearances
PutoutOut
POPutouts
GRSLGrand Slams
sacSacrifice bunts
EagleTwo strokes under par
Quail highVery low golf shot
BotoxPutt that lips out of the hole
Afraid of the darkPutt that doesn't go in the hole
Joe PesciA difficult five foot putt
ShankTo hit the ball poorly
Bogey golfLevel of golf play that equals 1 shot over par
ChunkA golf shot that makes a divot
Fat shotA golf shot that takes a chunk out of the ground
The turnHalfway point of a round of golf
Outward nineFirst nine holes of an 18-hole golf course
DoglegA golf hole with a fairway that bends
Dogleg leftA golf hole with a fairway that has a bend to the left
ffbFantasy football
Sham bombA breaking report by Shams Charania
ShootAn unscripted event
BoardsRebounds
FacialSlam dunk on a player's face
FIFAWWCFIFA Women's World Cup
BushAmateur play
URUnearned runs
BogeyOne stroke over par
Double bogeyTwo strokes over par
Triple bogeyThree strokes over par
SandbaggerA golfer who plays better than he claims
Abominable snowmanGolf score of 9
Sunday ballA do-over golf shot
TesterA putt that tests a golfer's skill
VelcroSlow green
Back nineLast nine holes of an 18-hole golf course
Shotgun startGolfers are sent to each hole to start at the same time
CupHole
Double doglegA golf hole with a fairway that has two bends
Dogleg rightA golf hole with a fairway that has a bend to the right
PPRPossible points remaining
MickelsonTo hit a golf ball while it is still moving
FlowLong, thick, luscious hair
RibRun batted in
CGLComplete game losses
James JoycePutt that is hard to read
DivotChunk of grass and soil
STSpecial teams
PVOPosition vs. opponent
retKick or punt returner
FOMOHFear of missing out on hockey
DonkDonkey
TTTHCSThings that Tim Howard could save
MCLMedial collateral ligament
SNFSunday Night Football
The beautiful gameSoccer
Boxed setSingles, doubles, and mixed doubles Grand Slam
WorldieAmazing

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