![\"BT](\"https:\/\/collectivecontent.agency\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/BT-Sports-Ian-Darke.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nWe see that happen a lot in IT. Executives are prone to want to say \u2018utilise\u2019 when a simple \u2018use\u2019 will do. And don\u2019t get us started on \u2018leverage\u2019.
\nBut there\u2019s another example of how ridiculous this approach is. And you see it in action with football commentators.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m not talking about some of the football language \u2013 like the use of \u2018top, top\u2019 meaning \u2018very good\u2019. (As in \u201cThey\u2019re a top, top Spanish team\u201d or \u201cHe\u2019s a top, top centre-forward\u201d.) Or the use of \u2018massive\u2019 in the way that lots of people use it today, meaning something more than \u2018very big\u2019. (\u201cThey\u2019re a massive club.\u201d) What I mean is the words that are unnecessarily complicated.<\/p>\n
There are plenty of clich\u00e9s that are trotted out in football circles \u2013 \u2018handbags\u2019, \u2018early doors\u2019, \u2018there or thereabouts\u2019 and about a hundred others \u2013 just as there are in certain other sports. Cricket in particular comes to mind. I also don\u2019t mean those.<\/p>\n
Stripping this right back, there are words that drive me crazy, words only commentators seem to say. Here are five that come to mind:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Players and managers never seem to complain these days. (If only.) According to match commentators, they \u2018remonstrate<\/strong>\u2019. When do you ever hear that outside football?<\/li>\n
- Sure you get lazy or tired players. But are they ever just that? No, they\u2019re often \u2018lethargic\u2019 or \u2013 bonus points here \u2013 \u2018lackadaisical<\/strong>\u2019.<\/li>\n
- When a player keeps on missing or cocking up clear chances, is he wasteful? No, he\u2019s \u2018profligate<\/strong>\u2019. Particularly bad game? Then he\u2019s \u2018profligate in the extreme\u2019.<\/li>\n
- Most of us talk about goal posts and the cross bar. Oh no, why keep it that simple? Those with the microphones like to say \u2018stanchion<\/strong>\u2019.<\/li>\n
- Then what if it\u2019s a thing a player is known for? It\u2019s their \u2018stock in trade<\/strong>\u2019. Yes, I have no idea either.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Of course it never ends. At times I think these guys are from another age. The other night a player was \u2018rebuked\u2019 by his manager. It\u2019s OK. No one else on his side seemed worried. Sorry, \u2018perturbed\u2019. Though I did catch one team apparently showing some \u2018angst\u2019 \u2013 like a teenager (or maybe a German) \u2013 when defending a slender lead.<\/p>\n
For all these words there are more straightforward options. Why aren\u2019t they used? Sometimes words such as \u2018worried\u2019, \u2018told off\u2019 or \u2018wasteful\u2019 are. But my only theory is that commentators have to say \u2018he\u2019s tired\u2019 about 30 times during a game and don\u2019t want to use the same words over and over.
\nOr could it just be they\u2019re trying to be clever? They\u2019re managing the opposite.<\/p>\nTo be a commentator or professional writer you should be good with words. An example such as James Richardson<\/a> shows that such people exist.<\/p>\n
But just as in other professions people think longer, unusual words make them sound smart. In real life, however, those who don\u2019t resort to clich\u00e9 and jargon are the smart ones. That comes with practice and help.
\nBet you thought I\u2019d end on a football clich\u00e9. So that\u2019s one-nil, clear communication.<\/p>\n - Sure you get lazy or tired players. But are they ever just that? No, they\u2019re often \u2018lethargic\u2019 or \u2013 bonus points here \u2013 \u2018lackadaisical<\/strong>\u2019.<\/li>\n