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nothing game
Slang
DCHP-2 (May 2011)
Spelling variants:originally "nothing" game
n.
a league game the outcome of which has no bearing on the final standings in the league.
Type: 5. Frequency — Nothing game is in the North American context much more frequently used in Canada than in the US, as Charts 1-3 show. This term appears to be inherited in Canadian English from UK English, however, since Charts 1 and 2 show higher frequencies in the UK, with Canada placing second.
It is included in COD-2 s.v. "nothing game" and labelled "N Amer. Sport", though the term is rather rare in the US (see Charts 1-3); two US examples are found in Kingsport News (1974) and Salt Lake Tribune (1966); It is not listed in the CCD-2010, ITP Nelson, Gage 5, CGCPD-2006, and FWSCD-82.
The term is not listed in OED-3, and EDD.
The term is not listed in W-2, and W-3, and, DARE, Merriam-Webster Unabridged.
Note the 1977 quotation uses the former name of Edmonton's CFL team, later renamed the Edmonton Elks in 2021 as the term may be offensive to Inuit communities and Indigenous Peoples of Canada (see The Canadian Encyclopedia article).
It is included in COD-2 s.v. "nothing game" and labelled "N Amer. Sport", though the term is rather rare in the US (see Charts 1-3); two US examples are found in Kingsport News (1974) and Salt Lake Tribune (1966); It is not listed in the CCD-2010, ITP Nelson, Gage 5, CGCPD-2006, and FWSCD-82.
The term is not listed in OED-3, and EDD.
The term is not listed in W-2, and W-3, and, DARE, Merriam-Webster Unabridged.
Note the 1977 quotation uses the former name of Edmonton's CFL team, later renamed the Edmonton Elks in 2021 as the term may be offensive to Inuit communities and Indigenous Peoples of Canada (see The Canadian Encyclopedia article).
Quotations
1947
They wheeled to a 13-5 victory in a "nothing" game which attracted a surprising turnout of 16,000 customers.
1955
It was a "nothing" game, since Bowmanville had already clinched a playoff spot and the Lumbermen were out of the playoffs, and that was exactly the way the Barons played it...
1959
While the Winnipeg Saskatchewan match was what has been called a "nothing" game, we nevertheless believe the public should have been made aware of what would happen before, and not after it had been played.
1963
If a row broke out in this "nothing" game, it could mean loss through suspension of the Rocket for the playoffs. . . .
1966
The Tigers have a chance to add another two wins to their record. St. Thomas and U.N.B. are their prospective victims. The games are strictly nothing games, none of the teams has any real pressure on them. Coaches will undoubtedly try a few of next years hopefuls.
1969
This is the day of the game, Wednesday, March 26, 1969, and we are playing the New York Rangers at the Chicago Stadium tonight. We call it a "nothing" game because the Black Hawks are firmly locked in sixth place, as unbelievable as it is, and the Rangers are sure of making the playoffs.
1977
Cyril McFall missed a 43-yard field goal for Calgary near the end of the game which enabled the Edmonton Eskimos to insure themselves of a playoff berth. The Saskatchewan Roughriders beat the British Columbia Lions 38 to 28 in a game which proved to be a nothing game as a result of the Eskimo-Stampeder game.
1983
It has long been said that football is a game of emotion and that "wanting it more" determines the outcome of more games than all the science and sophistication of design...And so-called nothing games, with nothing at stake for either side, should be indifferent exercises.
1997
Game MVP Gordon Walsh of UPEI commented on the difference between the teams: "To be honest, Dal didn't really play too well. It was a big game for us, and a nothing game for them. We knew we had to win, and we came to play..."
2000
The statement that all-star matches are "nothing games" may be true in some respects, but not when it comes to matters of the heart.
2002
The Stupor Bowl -- two teams who many expected would win their divisions and possibly meet in the AFC championship game, instead close out the season in a nothing game.
2007
Barring the greatest upset since David played rock tunes on Goliath's forehead, the Patriots will close out the regular season against the New York Giants in a game that will perhaps be the most watched "nothing game" in decades.
2020
With the trio of victories, the team clinched first place and found itself in a nothing game against a very capable St. Thomas Panthers. After power outages and issues with the ice resurfacer, the girls took to the ice in a very lack luster affair. The Thunder was never really in the game and the girls found themselves on the wrong end of a 4-1 loss. This was their first loss after a most impressive 14 wins in a row. Peever scored the lone goal for the Thunder with assists to Patrick and Biggs.
2021
"Would have been nice to end on a high note but we've had a good session," said Barrie, who admits playing nothing games are hard on the legs and the mind.
References
- OED-3
- COD-2
- ITP Nelson
- Gage-5
- EDD
- FWSCD-82
- W-2
- W-3
- CCD-2010
- DARE
- Merriam-Webster Unabridged
- CGCPD-2006
- The Canadian Encyclopedia • Link
- Salt Lake Tribune (1966)
- Kingsport News (1974)
Images
Chart 1: Internet Domain Search, 2 May 2024
Chart 2: Internet Domain Search, 2 May 2024
