SWIFTLETS PAGE

A.K.A. SWFTR GLOSSARY  



      The following terms have primarily been excerpted from issues of the SWFTR  Newsletter published in the early 1990's.   I intend to add items periodically, so watch for new terms.

AWARDROBE:  A) Attire that lands the wearer on a top ten best/worst  dressed list       B) Apparel worn by person attending a prestigious awards presentation

BANANABALISM:   The act of eating a banana skin along with the banana

BW RACE:  Notation next to race results signifying race occurred before it got windy    [Chris Campbell gets the credit for inventing this term.]

CAFETORIUM:   A cafeteria where the food is burned beyond recognition

CATEGLORY:  The age-group category which includes the overall winner
   [Roger Unruh inspired this term.]

CHRONOMETEROLOGY:   The act of trying to mentally convert metric/mile   split times into the mile/metric equivalent during a run

COLDSMOBILE:  Winter term for a car without a heater

DESSERT STORM:  One or more harriers (runners) raiding the sundae  bar at Golden Corral after a run

DW RACE:  Notation next to race results to indicate it was windy  during the race     (In SW Kansas, this is the rule rather than  the exception.)    [Chris Campbell also invented this term.]

E-DDRESS:  E-mail address

FIFTY-FINE M.P.H.:  The speed at which you can receive a fine for at least $50

FIVE 'TIL LATE:  At the very last minute, arriving at a race barely in time to line up at the start

FORDIC-SKIING:  Similar to Nordic (cross-country) skiing in that it can be enjoyed in flatland areas.   It differs in method of propulsion,  instead of using ski poles, the skier holds on to a rope tied to the back  of a Ford pickup.   Alpine (downhill) skis and bindings are recommended to  prevent skier from becoming a *snowpizza   SAFETY NOTE:  Skier should not put hand/arm through a loop in the rope.  Don't ask how I know this.

GATOR-RAIN:  The artificial downpour which drenches winning  coaches immediately   preceding or following a big victory

GENERATION H:  An age group (i.e., terrible twos) that can have the opposite effect as "Preparation H"

H20T RACE:  ("H" too 'ot)  A race that's so hot, you can't have too  much water

MANGLEZINE:  Subscription periodical which arrives through the mail   in a mutilated condition
      (Hopefully this doesn't happen to your Running Times )

MATHEMAGICIAN:  A runner who's very adept at *chronometerology 

MTVW:   Small foreign car with stereo playing loud enough to frighten   animals and annoy runners two blocks away

MULLIGAN'S ISLAND:  An island in a lake or pond located on or near a golf course

MUNCHASGRACIAS:   Thanks for the _____ (fill in your favorite Mexican food).     

NIKE-ROWAVE:   The wake left by Michael Johnson when running   the 200  or 400 meter dash
    
OBSONEAT:  Describes something that was once considered  obsolete,   but has now  become "classic", "retro", or collectible  nostalgia
    
ODDVERTISEMENT:  Strange ad or commercial that is weird enough   to  remember   the ad, but forget or not even notice the product   being promoted
    
PACKERJACKS:  Those styrofoam popcorn and peanuts used to  pack  items  being shipped
    

PAUSAPHOBIA:  The dread you feel that a traffic cop may have witnessed your "California stop" 

POETICIAN:   Author of political limericks

PORT-A-TREE:  Nickname for facilities at the Okie Relay starting line, a competing "brand" might be "Johnny on the stump"

   [This term was invented by John Hargrove of Del City, OK.]

POSTHUMOROUS:  Describes when you think of a witty remark after it's  too late to use it

PW:  Personal Worst, the opposite of PR, Personal Record
   [Paul McCord of Buffalo, OK invented this term.]

RACIN' BRAN:  Dramatically effective bran food that makes you race   to answer nature's call

RETRO-WALKING:   The exercise of walking backwards

SLOWFLAKES:   Large, fluffy snowflakes which softly fall like feathers

SNOW PIZZA:  Past tense of skier    [See "Fordic Skiing" above to learn how this term was inspired.]

SPEND ZONE:   The concession and souvenir stands at sporting events

SPILLCHECK:   Any of a number of devices which are intended to prevent  spilled beverages

SPORTRAIT:   An artist's drawing of a sports personality, usually in an action pose

STARTLEK:   The practice of running fartlek in the early part of a  race
   [This term was inspired by Kendall Payne.]

STUMBLEWEED:   Any weed or overgrowth that can entangle your feet just enough to make you lose stride

SWEEP-PEAT: The act of a school's teams repeating state titles by both male and female teams in one sport,  Example:  Liberal High School sweep-peated for several years in the state track meet.  [This term was inspired by John Madden and Coach Gary Cornelson and his teams.]

TRAFFICTION:  The excuse you gave the traffic cop who gave you *pausaphobia  

TRY-ATHLON:   First attempt at any multi-sport competition, i.e., biathlon, triathlon, decathlon, etc.

VERBALIER:  Person who coins new words, such as "verbalier".

VROOMATISM: When your got up and go has got up and went 

WHAT-HOLE:   An unseen pothole that is hazardous to runners

WHY-ATHLON:   Nagging doubts as to why you are attempting a multi-sport   competition

WOW RACE:  Notation next to race results on rare occasions meaningrace occurred without wind    [Chris Campbell was on a roll.]

  
 

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