spaz and Tiger Woods

[David Bergdahl]

for "spaz" think Jerry Lewis

On 4/12/06, Alice Faber <faber at haskins.yale.edu> wrote:
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> Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Poster:       Alice Faber <faber at HASKINS.YALE.EDU>
> Organization: Haskins Laboratories
> Subject:      Re: spaz and Tiger Woods
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> FRITZ JUENGLING wrote:
> > I don't know whether anyone has seen or heard of this, but you might want to have a look at the BBC site:
> > http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4902432.stm
> >
> > Golfer Tiger Woods has been criticised for saying he played like 'a spaz'. Can using the word ever be right?
> >
> >
> > Two things are surprising to me. First, that the word 'spaz' is such a strong term in the UK.  It seems the Brits are going bonkers over this.  Secondly, I've heard this term all my life and I have never heard it in the way that I think Tiger may have meant it. The writer of the article writes " Spaz has become synonymous with useless incompetence..." For me, it means nothing of the sort, but rather has to do with uncontrolled action, almost always excitement.  When I read the signs the pep squad makes for an upcoming game 'Let's spaz out!!', I don't det any idea of incomepetence, but excitement.
> >
> > Any comments?
> >
>
> To me, "spaz" means klutz, incompetent bozo and the like. It was
> commonly used in this meaning on the playground and the like where I
> grew up outside of NYC in the 50s and 60s. Of course, back then, we
> didn't know the etymology or that spasticity is a neurological condition.
> --
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> Alice Faber                                    faber at haskins.yale.edu
> Haskins Laboratories                           tel: (203) 865-6163 x258
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>
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