m (horse racing) abbreviation of mile (or miles) in
racing reports
M(cricket) abbreviation of maiden over in scoring
mace (cricket) the trophy in the form of an orb atop
a stump awarded since 2001 to the top-ranked
world team [official title ICC Test Championship
Mace]
machine (auto racing) colloquial term for a racecar
MacRobertson International Shield (croquet) the
trophy awarded to the winner of a tournament
played between Britain, Australia, New Zealand,
and the United States [donated in 1925 by the
Australian philanthropist Sir MacPherson
Robertson (1860–1945)]
made pony (polo) an experienced pony
madhouse (darts) the score of a double one [from
the frustration felt by a player struggling to finish
the game with this difficult double]
madison (cycling) a 50km track race with two
teams of two riders competing for points during
intermittent sprints [first ridden at Madison
Square Garden in 1892]
Madison Square Garden ( general ) a major indoor
sporting and entertainment center in New York
City, successively rebuilt and renewed since its
original opening in 1879
Magic (basketball) short name of the Orlando
Magic team
magic ball (cricket) an unplayable ball which will
invariably dismiss the batsman
magic minute ( general ) a time of one minute in a
race or other contest, regarded as a challenge for
a new record in a shorter time [as in the 1964
Olympic Games by the Australian swimmer
Dawn Fraser in the women’s 100 meters freestyle
with a time of 59.5 seconds]
magic sponge (association football ) colloquial term
for the damp sponge at one time traditionally
applied by the trainer to a sprain or muscular
injury sustained by a player
91 loser • magic
magpie (shooting) the penultimate outermost division
of a target, a hit on which is signaled by
a black and white flag
Magpies (association football ) nickname of the
English club Newcastle United [from the players’
black and white striped shirts]; (Australian
Rules) short name of the Collingwood Magpies
team
maiden (cricket) shortening of maiden over; (greyhound
racing) a dog that has not run an official
race; (horse racing) (1) a horse that has never won
a race; (2) shortening of maiden race
maiden century (cricket) a batsman’s first century
maiden over (cricket) an over in which no runs
are scored by the batsmen
maiden race (horse racing) a race for horses that
have never won a race
maiden stakes (horse racing) the prize in a maiden
race
maiden test (cricket) the first test match for which
a batsman is selected
main course (sailing) the mainsail on a squarerigged
boat
main wall (real tennis) the long wall of the court
without a penthouse
mainmast (sailing) the principal mast on a boat
mainsail (sailing) the principal sail on a boat, usually
attached to the mainmast
maître d’armes ( fencing) an instructor in the sport
[French maître d’armes, “master of arms”]
major (angling) a type of artificial fly used for
salmon fishing; ( golf ) one of the four majors
major league (baseball ) either of the two majors
majors (baseball ) the two most prestigious leagues,
as the National League and the American
League; ( golf ) the four most important championships:
the British Open, U.S. Open, U.S.
PGA, and U.S. Masters
make all (horse racing) to lead all the way in a race
make the cut ( golf ) to equal or better a stated
score, so avoiding elimination from the last two
rounds of a four-round tournament
make-up game (baseball ) a previously postponed
game which is played to complete the number of
scheduled league matches
makiwara (karate) an object designed to be struck
during training to toughen the skin of the hands
and feet [Japanese maki, “roll,” and wara,
“straw,” referring to the original post or board
covered with straw used for this purpose]
makunouchi (sumo) the highest division in the
sport [Japanese]
Malaysian Grand Prix (auto racing) the Formula
One international Grand Prix held on the circuit
at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
malhini (surfing) a novice or beginner [Hawaiian
malhini, “stranger”]
Malibu (surfing) a long narrow surfboard [originally
used at Malibu, California]
mallet (croquet, polo) the long-handled hammer
with which the ball is struck
Man City (association football ) short name of the
English club Manchester City
man coverage (American football ) the strategy of
assigning a defender to each eligible receiver
man in black (association football ) colloquial term
for a referee [who traditionally wears black to
be differentiated from the colors of the two
teams]
man in motion (American football ) an offensive
back allowed to move during a scrimmage before
the ball is put into play
man in white (Australian Rules) colloquial term
for an umpire [who wears white for distinction
from the colors of the two teams]
man marking (association football ) a defensive
strategy in which a player is assigned an opposing
player to mark throughout the game
Man of Steel (rugby league) the award made from
1977 by the Super League to the outstanding
player of the season
man of the match ( general ) a semiofficial title
granted to a player judged to have played best
in a particular match, typically in association
football or cricket
man-on-man ( general ) (of ) a position in a team
game in which one defenseman is assigned to
one offensive player
Man U (association football ) short name of the English
club Manchester United
man who beat the man (boxing) a way of defining
a champion, as the man who beat the previous
champion
manager ( general ) the person who controls, counsels,
and promotes a sportsperson or sports team
manege (equestrianism) the art of training horses
[French manège, “training of a horse,” from Italian
manegiarre, “to manage,” from Latin manus,
“hand”]
manhattan (cricket) a bar chart showing the number
of runs scored in each over of a game [the
bars supposedly resemble the Manhattan skyline]
mankad (cricket) a way of causing a batsman to
be run out, in which the bowler removes the
bails instead of bowling if the batsman at the
non-striker’s end backs up too far [popularized
by the Indian player Mulvantrai Mankad]
Maple Leafs (ice hockey) short name of the Toronto
Maple Leafs team
marathon (athletics) (1) a long-distance foot race,
properly of 26 miles 385 yards (42.195km); (2)
a city race run by professionals or amateurs, as
the Boston Marathon, London Marathon, or
magpie • marathon 92
New York Marathon; (equestrianism) a crosscountry
time trial in carriage driving; ( general)
any demanding race or contest [originally
so named from the tradition that a Greek messenger
ran from Marathon to Athens with news
of victory in a battle of 490 BC]
Marathon des Sables (athletics) an annual ultramarathon
run over six days through the Sahara
desert, North Africa [French marathon des sables,
“marathon of the sands”]
Marcel Corbillon Cup (table tennis) the cup
awarded to the winner of the women’s world
team championship [presented in 1934 by Marcel
Corbillon (1890–1958), president of the
French Table Tennis Association]
March Madness (baseball ) the postseason tournament
for colleges held in March
mare (horse racing) a female horse over the age of
four
margin fishing (angling) a technique for catching
carp at night, in which a rod is set up on the
side of a lake with its bait floating on the water
Marilyn (mountaineering) any British hill with a
reascent of 500 feet on all sides [named for U.S.
movie actress Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962),
punning on Munro]
marina (sailing) a specially-equipped berthing area
for yachts and smaller craft
Mariners (association football ) nickname of the English
club Grimsby Town [from the town’s seaside
location]; (baseball ) short name of the Seattle
Mariners team
mark (athletics) (1) a measured achievement, as the
distance of a throw or height of a jump, especially
when a record or personal best; (2) the
starting line in a race; (Australian Rules) a catch
of the ball from a kick of at least 10 meters;
(bowls) another term for the jack; (boxing) the pit
of the stomach; ( general ) in field games, to stay
close to an opposing player in order to prevent
him from obtaining or passing the ball; (horse
racing) shortening of handicap mark; (rugby
union) a catch of the ball from a kick or knockon
or throw-forward by an opponent, formerly
claimed by calling “mark!” and digging one’s heel
in the ground
mark someone’s card (horse racing) to tip a possible
winner at a race meeting [the card is the
racecard]
marker (billiards) the person who records the
score; (bowls) a person who generally assists the
players; (darts) (1) a dart just outside the required
double that helps the aiming of subsequent
darts; (2) the person who records the score; (general
) in field games, a player assigned to mark
an opponent; (real tennis) another term for the
umpire
market leader (horse racing) another term for the
favorite [the market being the betting on a race]
Market Rasen (horse racing) a National Hunt
racecourse at Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, England
marksman (shooting) a person who shoots well
marksmanship (shooting) the skill or art of a
marksman
markswoman (shooting) a woman who shoots well
Marlins (baseball ) short name of the Florida Marlins
team
maroon jersey (cycling) the jersey worn by the
points leader in the Giro d’Italia [Italian maglia
ciciamina, “maroon jersey”]
marquee player ( general ) an outstanding player
in a professional sports team [his name is as
prominent as that of an entertainer billed on a
marquee]
married man’s side (darts) the lefthand side of the
dartboard [where a player is less likely to make
an expensive mishit, a married man being one
who should aim to “play safe”]
marshal (auto racing) one of the officials posted
around the racetrack to ensure the safety of
drivers and spectators; ( general ) an official at a
sporting event who supervises arrangements for
competitors, controls spectators, and generally
monitors proceedings
martial artist ( general ) a practitioner of the martial
arts
martial arts (sport) a range of (mainly Japanese)
combative sports and methods of self-defense
such as judo, karate, and kendo
Marylebone Cricket Club (cricket) the club
founded in 1787, with its headquarters at Lord’s,
that was formerly the governing body of the
sport in England, is still responsible for making
its laws, and is the official title of English teams
when on tour
mascot (association football ) a child supporter who
with others accompanies the team on to the
pitch at the start of a match, dressed in a scaleddown
version of the team’s strip; ( general ) a
symbol of luck, often in the form of an animal
or insect, representing a team or club and visibly
present (as an outsize toy or a costumed person)
at a match or meeting
mashie (golf ) the former name of a 5-iron [perhaps
from French massue, “club”]
mashie iron ( golf ) the former name of a 4-iron
mashie niblick ( golf ) the former name of a 7-iron
[combining the features of a mashie and a niblick]
mass start ( general ) a start to a race in which all
of the competitors set off together
massé (billiards, snooker) a stroke made with the
cue held vertically or nearly so, causing the cue
93 Marathon • massé
ball to swerve sharply [French, from masse,
“mace”]
mast (sailing) a long upright pole that carries the
sail of a boat
mast foot (windsurfing) the part of the sailboard
whose top fits into the lower end of the mast
Masters ( golf ) shortening of U.S. Masters;
(snooker) an invitational tournament played at
Wembley since 1979; (tennis) shortening of
Masters Cup
Masters Club ( golf ) an annual dinner held since
1952 at the Augusta National Golf Club during
the U.S. Masters for all previous winners of
the tournament, hosted by the defending champion
Masters Cup (tennis) the trophy awarded to the
winner of an annual men’s championship featuring
the top eight world players for the particular
year
mat (bowls) the small piece of rubber on which
players place their back foot when delivering a
bowl; (g ymnastics, wrestling) the area of padded
material or canvas on which participants perform
and which absorbs the shock when they
land or fall
match ( general ) a formal contest or game
match angler (angling) an angler who takes part in
match fishing
match ball (cricket) a ball that in its physical composition
meets the standard of the sport; (tennis)
a ball that could decide a match
match book (cricket) a book containing the scores
of a club or particular team; (horse racing) a book
containing the dates and venues of races
match card (cricket) a card that summarizes the
score and lists the players in batting order
match fishing (angling) in central and northern
England, a contest between teams at fixed locations
to win the greatest weight of fish caught
during a particular period of time
match-fixing (general) the fraudulent manipulation
of a match result by a gambling syndicate
match point (tennis) the stage in a match at which
only one point is needed to win
match race (sailing) a one-design race between
two boats
match rifle (shooting) a rifle used in official competitions
match winner ( general ) a team player whose skill
or performance helps win a match
matchday doctor ( general ) a physician who attends
a match to give treatment if needed
matchmaker (boxing) a person who arranges
matches
matchplay ( golf ) a score based on the number of
holes won by each side rather than the overall
total of strokes taken
matchup ( general ) a game or contest between two
players
Matildas (association football ) nickname of the
Australian national women’s team [from the colloquial
phrase waltz Matilda, “carry one’s swag”]
matman (wrestling) colloquial term for a wrestler
[who performs on the mat]
maul (rugby union) a loose scrum formed by a
teams’ forwards around the player who holds
the ball after a lineout and who has not been
brought down by an attempted tackle
Mavericks (basketball) short name of the Dallas
Mavericks team
maxi (sailing) a class of large yacht 15 to 20 meters
in length
maximum (darts) a score of 180 with three darts,
achieved through three treble 20s; (snooker) a
break of 147 points, comprising 15 reds and 15
blacks followed by all six colors
May Week (rowing) the week in late May or early
June when boat races are held between colleges
at Cambridge University
mayfly (angling) (1) a natural fly of the genus
Ephemera; (2) an artificial fly imitating it
Mays (rowing) the boat races held in May Week
MCC (cricket) abbreviation of Marylebone
Cricket Club
McCarthy Cup (hurling) the trophy awarded to
the winner of the All-Ireland senior championship
[donated in 1921 by the player Liam Mc-
Carthy]
McHawk (skateboarding) a 720-degree rotational
flip [introduced by the U.S. skateboarder Tony
Hawk, with Mc- added from the McTwist]
McTwist (skateboarding) a 540-degree rotational
flip [from the name of U.S. skateboarder Mike
McGill, who introduced it, and the motion of the
flip]
measure (bowls) the use of measuring instruments
on completion of an end to determine which
bowl is closer to the jack when this cannot be
done with the naked eye
measuring line (cycling) another term for pole line
meat (cricket) the center of the blade of the bat
medal ( general ) an award, usually in the form of a
coin with an inscription, for a sporting achievement
medal round ( golf ) a round of medalplay
medalist ( general ) a competitor who has been
awarded a medal
medalplay ( golf ) another term for strokeplay
medicine ball ( general ) a heavy ball thrown and
caught for exercise [it acts as a “medicine”]
Mediterranean draw (archery) a method of drawing
and loosing an arrow in which the string is
pulled back with three fingers, one above the
arrow, the other two below
mast • Mediterranean draw 94
Mediterranean Games (Olympics) regional games
held since 1951 for competitors from Mediterranean
countries (in northern Africa or southern
Europe)
medium bowler (cricket) a bowler who bowls at a
medium pace, between a fast bowler and a slow
bowler
medley (athletics) a relay race in which each participant
runs a different distance; (swimming) a
relay race in which the four main strokes
(backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and
freestyle ) are used
meet (general) a gathering of athletes or cyclists for
a competition or race
meeting ( general ) a gathering for a sports event or
program, as typically in athletics; (horse racing)
shortening of race meeting
Melbourne Cup (horse racing) a race for threeyear-
olds run at Flemington Park, Melbourne,
Australia, since 1861
member’s bounce ( golf ) a favorable bounce of the
ball on to the fairway or green [so called because
it is often a club member rather than a visitor
who benefits]
Members’ Enclosure (horse racing) an enclosure at
a racecourse reserved for members of the racecourse
club
Memorial Coliseum (American football ) the home
ground of the Los Angeles Rams team, Los Angeles,
California
Mendoza line (baseball ) a batting average of .200,
regarded as the lower limit of respectability for
a professional hitter [named for the weak-hitting
player Mario Mendoza]
Merry Millers (association football ) nickname of
the English club Rotherham United [from their
home ground at Millmoor Ground]
Messenger Stake (horse racing) an annual harness
race held since 1957 for three-year-old pacers
at Yonkers, New York [named for the English
thoroughbred Messenger (foaled 1780), the
great-grandfather of Hambletonian]
metric mile (athletics) colloquial name for the
1,500 meters race
metronome (cricket) colloquial term for a consistently
reliable bowler, especially a seam bowler
[he will repeatedly “hit the spot” just as a
metronome regularly ticks out the time]
Mets (baseball ) short name of the New York Mets
team
Mexican Grand Prix (auto racing) the Formula
One international Grand Prix held on the circuit
at Mexico City, Mexico
Mexican wave ( general ) the effect produced when
adjacent groups of spectators stand up in turn
with hands raised then sit down again to create
an undulating movement around a stadium
[popularized during the 1986 association football
World Cup in Mexico]
Michelle (cricket) alternate term for a five-fer
mid-off (cricket) a fielding position behind the
bowler on the off side
mid-on (cricket) a fielding position behind the
bowler on the on side
midcourt (tennis) the area at the center of the court
middle (cricket) (1) shortening of middle guard;
(2) to hit the ball with the middle of the bat
middle and leg (cricket) a guard taken by the batsman
in front of his middle stump and leg
stump
middle and off (cricket) a guard taken by the batsman
in front of his middle stump and off
stump
middle-distance race ( general ) a race over a
medium distance, as in middle-distance running
middle-distance running (athletics) a blanket term
for the 800 meters and 1,500 meters foot races
middle for diddle (darts) colloquial term for a
method of starting a game, in which both players
throw a single dart and the player who
throws nearer the bull begins
middle guard (American football ) a defensive lineman
who plays between the defensive tackles;
(cricket) a guard taken by the batsman in front
of his middle stump
middle linebacker (American football ) a defensive
player positioned behind the middle of the line
of scrimmage
middle order (cricket) the batsmen who come in
the middle of the batting order
middle reliever (baseball ) any relief pitcher other
than the closer
middle stump (cricket) the middle stump of the
wicket
middleman (mountaineering) the middle member
of a climbing or descending team
Middleton Cup (bowls) the cup awarded since
1922 to the winner of an intercounty championship
[presented by P.C. Middleton to replace
an original award of 1911]
middleweight (boxing) the professional weight category
of maximum 73kg (160lb)
midfield (association football ) (1) the area in the
center of the pitch; (2) the players who play between
the defense and the attack
midfielder (association football ) any of the players
who play in midfield
midiron ( golf ) (1) a 5-, 6-, or 7-iron, used to play
medium-range shots; (2) the former name of a
2-iron
Midsummer Classic (baseball ) another name for
the All-Star game
midwicket (cricket) a fielding position on the leg
95 Mediterranean Games • midwicket
side about midway between mid-on and square
leg
Milan-San Remo (cycling) an annual road race
from Milan to San Remo, northwestern Italy,
first held in 1907
mile (athletics) the predecessor of the 1,500 meters;
(horse racing) a standard unit of distance [1
mile = 1.61km], together with the furlong
miler (athletics) an athlete running the mile; (horse
racing) a horse running in a race of a mile or
more
militaire (equestrianism) a continental European
term for a three-day event [French militaire,
“military,” as originally a cavalry test for officers’
horses]
military medium (cricket) straight, regular,
medium-paced bowling
Milk Race (cycling) the former popular name of
the Tour of Britain [sponsored by the Milk
Marketing Board from 1958]
Mille Miglia (auto racing) an Italian road race
from Brescia to Verona, Ferrara, Pesaro, Pescara,
Rieti, Rome, Florence, Bologna, Cremona, and
back to Brescia, a distance of around 1,600km,
held from 1927 to 1957 [Italian mille miglia,
“thousand miles”]
Millennium Dome ( general ) original name of the
O2
Millennium Stadium ( general ) a stadium built in
Cardiff, Wales, in 1999 as the home of Welsh
rugby football
miller (trampolining) a triple-twisting double back
[named for its originator]
mini flyweight (boxing) the professional weight
category of under 48kg (105lb)
miniature golf ( golf ) a simple, scaled-down version
of the game in which a club is used to putt
a small ball into a series of holes on a green
minibasketball (basketball) a simplified form of
the game designed for young players
minibreak (tennis) a point against the serve in a
tie-break
minigolf ( golf ) shortening of miniature golf
minilacrosse (lacrosse) a simplified form of the
game designed for young players
minimal (surfing) a shorter version of a Malibu,
popular with beginners
minirugby (rugby union) a simplified form of the
game designed for young players
miniskis (skiing) short, slightly thick skis worn by
beginners or in skibobbing
minitennis (tennis) a simplified form of the game
designed for young players
minivolley (volleyball) a simplified form of the
game designed for young players
minor county (cricket) a British county not having
first-class status but with its own team.
minor league (baseball ) any of the less prestigious
professional leagues, often used to groom
younger players for the major leagues
minors (baseball ) short name for the minor
leagues
Minstermen (association football ) nickname of the
English club York City [from York Minster, the
city’s medieval cathedral]
miscall ( general ) a bad or inaccurate call
miscue (billiards, snooker) a faulty stroke that results
from a poor contact between the cue tip
and the cue ball
misfield (cricket) a mistake made by a fielder, as
when a catch is dropped
mishit ( general ) a faulty hit
miskick ( general ) a kick made with the wrong part
of the foot, as in association football
misplay ( general ) an incorrect or faulty move or
play
miss (billiards, snooker) a (sometimes deliberate)
failure to hit the object ball, as a result of which
the player is penalized; ( general ) a failure to hit
the object aimed at, as in shooting
miss move (rugby union) a maneuver in which the
attacking three-quarters miss out a back in
order to move the ball more quickly to a player
in a wider position
miss the break (horse racing) to start after the other
horses in a race
miss the cut ( golf ) to fail to qualify for the final
round of a tournament
miss the water (rowing) to start the drive before the
catch has been completed
mittens (boxing) colloquial term for boxing gloves
mitts (baseball ) the special padded leather gloves
used to catch the ball
mix zone ( general ) an area at a sporting contest
where reporters can interview players or performers
immediately after their appearance
mixed doubles (tennis) a match with male and female
players on the same side
mixed martial arts (sport) a combat sport that incorporates
boxing, wrestling, jujitsu, and other
disciplines
MK Dons (association football ) short name of the
English club Milton Keynes Dons
mod-pen (Olympics) colloquial abbreviation of
modern pentathlon
modern pentathlon (Olympics) a contest in swimming,
riding, cross-country running, fencing,
and pistol shooting, introduced in 1912 as a
variant of the original pentathlon
mogul (skiing) a mound of hard snow forming
an obstacle on a ski slope [probably from a
Norwegian dialect word meaning “heap,”
“mound”]
mohawk (ice skating) a turn from either edge of
Milan-San • mohawk 96
the skate to the same edge on the other foot in
the opposite direction [as distinct from a
choctaw]
Monaco Grand Prix (auto racing) the Formula
One international Grand Prix held on the circuit
at Monte Carlo, Monaco
Monday morning quarterback (American football
) a person (not just a quarterback) who expresses
opinions about strategic decisions after
the outcome of a game is known [the big games
are played on Sunday afternoons]
Monkeyhangers (association football ) nickname of
the English club Hartlepool United [from a local
legend about the hanging of a monkey for spying,
represented by the team’s mascot, H-Angus,
depicted by a man in a monkey costme]
monocoque (auto racing) a one-piece structure
housing the cockpit of a race car; (cycling) a
one-piece construction method for bicycle
frames and wheels [French monocoque, literally
“single shell”]
monofil (angling) a fishing line made of a single
strand of synthetic fiber
monohull (sailing) a boat with a single hull, as distinct
from a catamaran or trimaran
monoski (skiing) a ski on which both feet are
placed
moonball (cricket) colloquial term for a high, looping
ball delivered by the bowler; (tennis) colloquial
term for a very high lob
moonshot (baseball ) another term for a tapemeasure
shot
morning glory (horse racing) a horse that runs
faster in morning training than in the actual race
Mosconi Cup (pool) the trophy awarded since
1994 to the winner of an annual competition in
nine-ball pool between the United States and
Europe [named commemoratively for the U.S.
champion player Willie Mosconi (1913–1993)]
Most Valuable Player (baseball ) the annual award
made to the player judged the most valuable to
his team in each of the major leagues; (basketball)
the annual award made to the outstanding
player in the NBA; ( general ) a similar award in
other sports
moto (cycling) colloquial name of BMX [from the
full form of the name]; (motorcycle racing) (1)
shortening of motocross; (2) a heat in this sport
motocross (motorcycle racing) a form of the sport on
solo motorcycles, motorcycles with sidecars, or
quad bikes on a cross-country circuit with natural
obstacles such as jumps
MotoGP (motorcycle racing) an annual race for
500cc motorcycles, first held in 1949 [from motorcycle
and GP]
motor racing (sport) another term for auto racing
motorcycle racing (sport) the racing of motorcycles,
usually categorized by modification or engine
size, around a specially-built track or over a
cross-country circuit
motorcyclist (motorcycle racing) the rider of a motorcycle
motorsport (sport) any sport that involves motorpowered
vehicles, as cars or motorcycles
mound (baseball ) the raised area a short distance
from home plate from which the pitcher throws
the ball to the batter
mount (equestrianism, horse racing) the horse that
a person is riding
mountain bike (cycling) a bicycle with strong heavy
tires designed for cross-country use, whether in
competition or for recreation
mountain biking (cycling) the sport or recreation
of riding a mountain bike
mountainboard (general) a narrow board mounted
on wheels and fitted with a steering mechanism,
ridden down mountain tracks or other hilly terrain
mountaineer (mountaineering) a person who
climbs mountains
mountaineering (sport) the climbing of rocks or
mountains, either in competition or as a selfimposed
physical challenge
mousetrap (American football ) a play in which a
defensive player crosses the line of scrimmage
and is then blocked from the side while the ball
carrier advances through the gap he has left
mouth guard (rugby league, rugby union) a guard
worn to protect the mouth
mouthpiece (boxing) the piece of plastic placed in
a boxer’s mouth to protect his teeth and prevent
him from biting his tongue
movement (equestrianism) a single maneuver in
dressage
mow (cricket) another term for a haymaker
mud wrestling (wrestling) a form of the sport in
an arena with a floor of wet mud
mudder (horse racing) colloquial term for a horse
that performs well in muddy conditions
mudlark (horse racing) another term for a mudder
muff ( general ) (1) a bungling or inapt player or
competitor; (2) a failure in a move or maneuver,
as a dropped catch in cricket or a slip from
a piece of apparatus in gymnastics
Muirfield ( golf ) a championship golf course east
of Edinburgh, Scotland
mulligan ( golf ) a free extra shot allowed to a
player who has made a bad shot [perhaps from
the Canadian player David Mulligan, who
played a “correction shot” after a bad shot]
multigym (gymnastics) (1) a piece of exercise equipment
that can be used in several ways or by several
people simultaneously; (2) a room with such
equipment
97 Monaco • multigym
multihull (sailing) a boat with two or more hulls,
as a catamaran or trimaran
multiplier (angling) a geared reel on a fishing rod,
used to draw the line in quickly [one turn of the
handle makes the spool rotate several times]
Munro (mountaineering) a Scottish (now also English,
Welsh, or Irish) mountain peak over 3,000
feet in height [named for the Scottish mountaineer
Sir Hugh Thomas Munro (1856–1919),
who published his original list in 1891]
Munro-bagger (mountaineering) a person who attempts
to climb every (Scottish) Munro
Murrayfield (rugby union) the sport’s Scottish
home ground, in Edinburgh
musette (cycling) a small shoulder bag containing
food handed to riders at feeding stations
[French musette, “horse’s nosebag”]
mush (surfing) the foam produced when a wave
breaks
mush! (sled dog racing) the command to the dogs
to start moving or to move faster [probably from
French marcher, “to walk”]
musher (sled dog racing) the driver of a dog team [he
calls mush!]
Musselburgh (horse racing) a flat and National
Hunt racecourse at Musselburgh, central Scotland
muzzle (greyhound racing) the guard fitted over a
greyhound’s mouth to protect other dogs while
racing and to serve as an aid in a photo finish
MVP ( general ) abbreviation of Most Valuable
Player
racing reports
M(cricket) abbreviation of maiden over in scoring
mace (cricket) the trophy in the form of an orb atop
a stump awarded since 2001 to the top-ranked
world team [official title ICC Test Championship
Mace]
machine (auto racing) colloquial term for a racecar
MacRobertson International Shield (croquet) the
trophy awarded to the winner of a tournament
played between Britain, Australia, New Zealand,
and the United States [donated in 1925 by the
Australian philanthropist Sir MacPherson
Robertson (1860–1945)]
made pony (polo) an experienced pony
madhouse (darts) the score of a double one [from
the frustration felt by a player struggling to finish
the game with this difficult double]
madison (cycling) a 50km track race with two
teams of two riders competing for points during
intermittent sprints [first ridden at Madison
Square Garden in 1892]
Madison Square Garden ( general ) a major indoor
sporting and entertainment center in New York
City, successively rebuilt and renewed since its
original opening in 1879
Magic (basketball) short name of the Orlando
Magic team
magic ball (cricket) an unplayable ball which will
invariably dismiss the batsman
magic minute ( general ) a time of one minute in a
race or other contest, regarded as a challenge for
a new record in a shorter time [as in the 1964
Olympic Games by the Australian swimmer
Dawn Fraser in the women’s 100 meters freestyle
with a time of 59.5 seconds]
magic sponge (association football ) colloquial term
for the damp sponge at one time traditionally
applied by the trainer to a sprain or muscular
injury sustained by a player
91 loser • magic
magpie (shooting) the penultimate outermost division
of a target, a hit on which is signaled by
a black and white flag
Magpies (association football ) nickname of the
English club Newcastle United [from the players’
black and white striped shirts]; (Australian
Rules) short name of the Collingwood Magpies
team
maiden (cricket) shortening of maiden over; (greyhound
racing) a dog that has not run an official
race; (horse racing) (1) a horse that has never won
a race; (2) shortening of maiden race
maiden century (cricket) a batsman’s first century
maiden over (cricket) an over in which no runs
are scored by the batsmen
maiden race (horse racing) a race for horses that
have never won a race
maiden stakes (horse racing) the prize in a maiden
race
maiden test (cricket) the first test match for which
a batsman is selected
main course (sailing) the mainsail on a squarerigged
boat
main wall (real tennis) the long wall of the court
without a penthouse
mainmast (sailing) the principal mast on a boat
mainsail (sailing) the principal sail on a boat, usually
attached to the mainmast
maître d’armes ( fencing) an instructor in the sport
[French maître d’armes, “master of arms”]
major (angling) a type of artificial fly used for
salmon fishing; ( golf ) one of the four majors
major league (baseball ) either of the two majors
majors (baseball ) the two most prestigious leagues,
as the National League and the American
League; ( golf ) the four most important championships:
the British Open, U.S. Open, U.S.
PGA, and U.S. Masters
make all (horse racing) to lead all the way in a race
make the cut ( golf ) to equal or better a stated
score, so avoiding elimination from the last two
rounds of a four-round tournament
make-up game (baseball ) a previously postponed
game which is played to complete the number of
scheduled league matches
makiwara (karate) an object designed to be struck
during training to toughen the skin of the hands
and feet [Japanese maki, “roll,” and wara,
“straw,” referring to the original post or board
covered with straw used for this purpose]
makunouchi (sumo) the highest division in the
sport [Japanese]
Malaysian Grand Prix (auto racing) the Formula
One international Grand Prix held on the circuit
at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
malhini (surfing) a novice or beginner [Hawaiian
malhini, “stranger”]
Malibu (surfing) a long narrow surfboard [originally
used at Malibu, California]
mallet (croquet, polo) the long-handled hammer
with which the ball is struck
Man City (association football ) short name of the
English club Manchester City
man coverage (American football ) the strategy of
assigning a defender to each eligible receiver
man in black (association football ) colloquial term
for a referee [who traditionally wears black to
be differentiated from the colors of the two
teams]
man in motion (American football ) an offensive
back allowed to move during a scrimmage before
the ball is put into play
man in white (Australian Rules) colloquial term
for an umpire [who wears white for distinction
from the colors of the two teams]
man marking (association football ) a defensive
strategy in which a player is assigned an opposing
player to mark throughout the game
Man of Steel (rugby league) the award made from
1977 by the Super League to the outstanding
player of the season
man of the match ( general ) a semiofficial title
granted to a player judged to have played best
in a particular match, typically in association
football or cricket
man-on-man ( general ) (of ) a position in a team
game in which one defenseman is assigned to
one offensive player
Man U (association football ) short name of the English
club Manchester United
man who beat the man (boxing) a way of defining
a champion, as the man who beat the previous
champion
manager ( general ) the person who controls, counsels,
and promotes a sportsperson or sports team
manege (equestrianism) the art of training horses
[French manège, “training of a horse,” from Italian
manegiarre, “to manage,” from Latin manus,
“hand”]
manhattan (cricket) a bar chart showing the number
of runs scored in each over of a game [the
bars supposedly resemble the Manhattan skyline]
mankad (cricket) a way of causing a batsman to
be run out, in which the bowler removes the
bails instead of bowling if the batsman at the
non-striker’s end backs up too far [popularized
by the Indian player Mulvantrai Mankad]
Maple Leafs (ice hockey) short name of the Toronto
Maple Leafs team
marathon (athletics) (1) a long-distance foot race,
properly of 26 miles 385 yards (42.195km); (2)
a city race run by professionals or amateurs, as
the Boston Marathon, London Marathon, or
magpie • marathon 92
New York Marathon; (equestrianism) a crosscountry
time trial in carriage driving; ( general)
any demanding race or contest [originally
so named from the tradition that a Greek messenger
ran from Marathon to Athens with news
of victory in a battle of 490 BC]
Marathon des Sables (athletics) an annual ultramarathon
run over six days through the Sahara
desert, North Africa [French marathon des sables,
“marathon of the sands”]
Marcel Corbillon Cup (table tennis) the cup
awarded to the winner of the women’s world
team championship [presented in 1934 by Marcel
Corbillon (1890–1958), president of the
French Table Tennis Association]
March Madness (baseball ) the postseason tournament
for colleges held in March
mare (horse racing) a female horse over the age of
four
margin fishing (angling) a technique for catching
carp at night, in which a rod is set up on the
side of a lake with its bait floating on the water
Marilyn (mountaineering) any British hill with a
reascent of 500 feet on all sides [named for U.S.
movie actress Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962),
punning on Munro]
marina (sailing) a specially-equipped berthing area
for yachts and smaller craft
Mariners (association football ) nickname of the English
club Grimsby Town [from the town’s seaside
location]; (baseball ) short name of the Seattle
Mariners team
mark (athletics) (1) a measured achievement, as the
distance of a throw or height of a jump, especially
when a record or personal best; (2) the
starting line in a race; (Australian Rules) a catch
of the ball from a kick of at least 10 meters;
(bowls) another term for the jack; (boxing) the pit
of the stomach; ( general ) in field games, to stay
close to an opposing player in order to prevent
him from obtaining or passing the ball; (horse
racing) shortening of handicap mark; (rugby
union) a catch of the ball from a kick or knockon
or throw-forward by an opponent, formerly
claimed by calling “mark!” and digging one’s heel
in the ground
mark someone’s card (horse racing) to tip a possible
winner at a race meeting [the card is the
racecard]
marker (billiards) the person who records the
score; (bowls) a person who generally assists the
players; (darts) (1) a dart just outside the required
double that helps the aiming of subsequent
darts; (2) the person who records the score; (general
) in field games, a player assigned to mark
an opponent; (real tennis) another term for the
umpire
market leader (horse racing) another term for the
favorite [the market being the betting on a race]
Market Rasen (horse racing) a National Hunt
racecourse at Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, England
marksman (shooting) a person who shoots well
marksmanship (shooting) the skill or art of a
marksman
markswoman (shooting) a woman who shoots well
Marlins (baseball ) short name of the Florida Marlins
team
maroon jersey (cycling) the jersey worn by the
points leader in the Giro d’Italia [Italian maglia
ciciamina, “maroon jersey”]
marquee player ( general ) an outstanding player
in a professional sports team [his name is as
prominent as that of an entertainer billed on a
marquee]
married man’s side (darts) the lefthand side of the
dartboard [where a player is less likely to make
an expensive mishit, a married man being one
who should aim to “play safe”]
marshal (auto racing) one of the officials posted
around the racetrack to ensure the safety of
drivers and spectators; ( general ) an official at a
sporting event who supervises arrangements for
competitors, controls spectators, and generally
monitors proceedings
martial artist ( general ) a practitioner of the martial
arts
martial arts (sport) a range of (mainly Japanese)
combative sports and methods of self-defense
such as judo, karate, and kendo
Marylebone Cricket Club (cricket) the club
founded in 1787, with its headquarters at Lord’s,
that was formerly the governing body of the
sport in England, is still responsible for making
its laws, and is the official title of English teams
when on tour
mascot (association football ) a child supporter who
with others accompanies the team on to the
pitch at the start of a match, dressed in a scaleddown
version of the team’s strip; ( general ) a
symbol of luck, often in the form of an animal
or insect, representing a team or club and visibly
present (as an outsize toy or a costumed person)
at a match or meeting
mashie (golf ) the former name of a 5-iron [perhaps
from French massue, “club”]
mashie iron ( golf ) the former name of a 4-iron
mashie niblick ( golf ) the former name of a 7-iron
[combining the features of a mashie and a niblick]
mass start ( general ) a start to a race in which all
of the competitors set off together
massé (billiards, snooker) a stroke made with the
cue held vertically or nearly so, causing the cue
93 Marathon • massé
ball to swerve sharply [French, from masse,
“mace”]
mast (sailing) a long upright pole that carries the
sail of a boat
mast foot (windsurfing) the part of the sailboard
whose top fits into the lower end of the mast
Masters ( golf ) shortening of U.S. Masters;
(snooker) an invitational tournament played at
Wembley since 1979; (tennis) shortening of
Masters Cup
Masters Club ( golf ) an annual dinner held since
1952 at the Augusta National Golf Club during
the U.S. Masters for all previous winners of
the tournament, hosted by the defending champion
Masters Cup (tennis) the trophy awarded to the
winner of an annual men’s championship featuring
the top eight world players for the particular
year
mat (bowls) the small piece of rubber on which
players place their back foot when delivering a
bowl; (g ymnastics, wrestling) the area of padded
material or canvas on which participants perform
and which absorbs the shock when they
land or fall
match ( general ) a formal contest or game
match angler (angling) an angler who takes part in
match fishing
match ball (cricket) a ball that in its physical composition
meets the standard of the sport; (tennis)
a ball that could decide a match
match book (cricket) a book containing the scores
of a club or particular team; (horse racing) a book
containing the dates and venues of races
match card (cricket) a card that summarizes the
score and lists the players in batting order
match fishing (angling) in central and northern
England, a contest between teams at fixed locations
to win the greatest weight of fish caught
during a particular period of time
match-fixing (general) the fraudulent manipulation
of a match result by a gambling syndicate
match point (tennis) the stage in a match at which
only one point is needed to win
match race (sailing) a one-design race between
two boats
match rifle (shooting) a rifle used in official competitions
match winner ( general ) a team player whose skill
or performance helps win a match
matchday doctor ( general ) a physician who attends
a match to give treatment if needed
matchmaker (boxing) a person who arranges
matches
matchplay ( golf ) a score based on the number of
holes won by each side rather than the overall
total of strokes taken
matchup ( general ) a game or contest between two
players
Matildas (association football ) nickname of the
Australian national women’s team [from the colloquial
phrase waltz Matilda, “carry one’s swag”]
matman (wrestling) colloquial term for a wrestler
[who performs on the mat]
maul (rugby union) a loose scrum formed by a
teams’ forwards around the player who holds
the ball after a lineout and who has not been
brought down by an attempted tackle
Mavericks (basketball) short name of the Dallas
Mavericks team
maxi (sailing) a class of large yacht 15 to 20 meters
in length
maximum (darts) a score of 180 with three darts,
achieved through three treble 20s; (snooker) a
break of 147 points, comprising 15 reds and 15
blacks followed by all six colors
May Week (rowing) the week in late May or early
June when boat races are held between colleges
at Cambridge University
mayfly (angling) (1) a natural fly of the genus
Ephemera; (2) an artificial fly imitating it
Mays (rowing) the boat races held in May Week
MCC (cricket) abbreviation of Marylebone
Cricket Club
McCarthy Cup (hurling) the trophy awarded to
the winner of the All-Ireland senior championship
[donated in 1921 by the player Liam Mc-
Carthy]
McHawk (skateboarding) a 720-degree rotational
flip [introduced by the U.S. skateboarder Tony
Hawk, with Mc- added from the McTwist]
McTwist (skateboarding) a 540-degree rotational
flip [from the name of U.S. skateboarder Mike
McGill, who introduced it, and the motion of the
flip]
measure (bowls) the use of measuring instruments
on completion of an end to determine which
bowl is closer to the jack when this cannot be
done with the naked eye
measuring line (cycling) another term for pole line
meat (cricket) the center of the blade of the bat
medal ( general ) an award, usually in the form of a
coin with an inscription, for a sporting achievement
medal round ( golf ) a round of medalplay
medalist ( general ) a competitor who has been
awarded a medal
medalplay ( golf ) another term for strokeplay
medicine ball ( general ) a heavy ball thrown and
caught for exercise [it acts as a “medicine”]
Mediterranean draw (archery) a method of drawing
and loosing an arrow in which the string is
pulled back with three fingers, one above the
arrow, the other two below
mast • Mediterranean draw 94
Mediterranean Games (Olympics) regional games
held since 1951 for competitors from Mediterranean
countries (in northern Africa or southern
Europe)
medium bowler (cricket) a bowler who bowls at a
medium pace, between a fast bowler and a slow
bowler
medley (athletics) a relay race in which each participant
runs a different distance; (swimming) a
relay race in which the four main strokes
(backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and
freestyle ) are used
meet (general) a gathering of athletes or cyclists for
a competition or race
meeting ( general ) a gathering for a sports event or
program, as typically in athletics; (horse racing)
shortening of race meeting
Melbourne Cup (horse racing) a race for threeyear-
olds run at Flemington Park, Melbourne,
Australia, since 1861
member’s bounce ( golf ) a favorable bounce of the
ball on to the fairway or green [so called because
it is often a club member rather than a visitor
who benefits]
Members’ Enclosure (horse racing) an enclosure at
a racecourse reserved for members of the racecourse
club
Memorial Coliseum (American football ) the home
ground of the Los Angeles Rams team, Los Angeles,
California
Mendoza line (baseball ) a batting average of .200,
regarded as the lower limit of respectability for
a professional hitter [named for the weak-hitting
player Mario Mendoza]
Merry Millers (association football ) nickname of
the English club Rotherham United [from their
home ground at Millmoor Ground]
Messenger Stake (horse racing) an annual harness
race held since 1957 for three-year-old pacers
at Yonkers, New York [named for the English
thoroughbred Messenger (foaled 1780), the
great-grandfather of Hambletonian]
metric mile (athletics) colloquial name for the
1,500 meters race
metronome (cricket) colloquial term for a consistently
reliable bowler, especially a seam bowler
[he will repeatedly “hit the spot” just as a
metronome regularly ticks out the time]
Mets (baseball ) short name of the New York Mets
team
Mexican Grand Prix (auto racing) the Formula
One international Grand Prix held on the circuit
at Mexico City, Mexico
Mexican wave ( general ) the effect produced when
adjacent groups of spectators stand up in turn
with hands raised then sit down again to create
an undulating movement around a stadium
[popularized during the 1986 association football
World Cup in Mexico]
Michelle (cricket) alternate term for a five-fer
mid-off (cricket) a fielding position behind the
bowler on the off side
mid-on (cricket) a fielding position behind the
bowler on the on side
midcourt (tennis) the area at the center of the court
middle (cricket) (1) shortening of middle guard;
(2) to hit the ball with the middle of the bat
middle and leg (cricket) a guard taken by the batsman
in front of his middle stump and leg
stump
middle and off (cricket) a guard taken by the batsman
in front of his middle stump and off
stump
middle-distance race ( general ) a race over a
medium distance, as in middle-distance running
middle-distance running (athletics) a blanket term
for the 800 meters and 1,500 meters foot races
middle for diddle (darts) colloquial term for a
method of starting a game, in which both players
throw a single dart and the player who
throws nearer the bull begins
middle guard (American football ) a defensive lineman
who plays between the defensive tackles;
(cricket) a guard taken by the batsman in front
of his middle stump
middle linebacker (American football ) a defensive
player positioned behind the middle of the line
of scrimmage
middle order (cricket) the batsmen who come in
the middle of the batting order
middle reliever (baseball ) any relief pitcher other
than the closer
middle stump (cricket) the middle stump of the
wicket
middleman (mountaineering) the middle member
of a climbing or descending team
Middleton Cup (bowls) the cup awarded since
1922 to the winner of an intercounty championship
[presented by P.C. Middleton to replace
an original award of 1911]
middleweight (boxing) the professional weight category
of maximum 73kg (160lb)
midfield (association football ) (1) the area in the
center of the pitch; (2) the players who play between
the defense and the attack
midfielder (association football ) any of the players
who play in midfield
midiron ( golf ) (1) a 5-, 6-, or 7-iron, used to play
medium-range shots; (2) the former name of a
2-iron
Midsummer Classic (baseball ) another name for
the All-Star game
midwicket (cricket) a fielding position on the leg
95 Mediterranean Games • midwicket
side about midway between mid-on and square
leg
Milan-San Remo (cycling) an annual road race
from Milan to San Remo, northwestern Italy,
first held in 1907
mile (athletics) the predecessor of the 1,500 meters;
(horse racing) a standard unit of distance [1
mile = 1.61km], together with the furlong
miler (athletics) an athlete running the mile; (horse
racing) a horse running in a race of a mile or
more
militaire (equestrianism) a continental European
term for a three-day event [French militaire,
“military,” as originally a cavalry test for officers’
horses]
military medium (cricket) straight, regular,
medium-paced bowling
Milk Race (cycling) the former popular name of
the Tour of Britain [sponsored by the Milk
Marketing Board from 1958]
Mille Miglia (auto racing) an Italian road race
from Brescia to Verona, Ferrara, Pesaro, Pescara,
Rieti, Rome, Florence, Bologna, Cremona, and
back to Brescia, a distance of around 1,600km,
held from 1927 to 1957 [Italian mille miglia,
“thousand miles”]
Millennium Dome ( general ) original name of the
O2
Millennium Stadium ( general ) a stadium built in
Cardiff, Wales, in 1999 as the home of Welsh
rugby football
miller (trampolining) a triple-twisting double back
[named for its originator]
mini flyweight (boxing) the professional weight
category of under 48kg (105lb)
miniature golf ( golf ) a simple, scaled-down version
of the game in which a club is used to putt
a small ball into a series of holes on a green
minibasketball (basketball) a simplified form of
the game designed for young players
minibreak (tennis) a point against the serve in a
tie-break
minigolf ( golf ) shortening of miniature golf
minilacrosse (lacrosse) a simplified form of the
game designed for young players
minimal (surfing) a shorter version of a Malibu,
popular with beginners
minirugby (rugby union) a simplified form of the
game designed for young players
miniskis (skiing) short, slightly thick skis worn by
beginners or in skibobbing
minitennis (tennis) a simplified form of the game
designed for young players
minivolley (volleyball) a simplified form of the
game designed for young players
minor county (cricket) a British county not having
first-class status but with its own team.
minor league (baseball ) any of the less prestigious
professional leagues, often used to groom
younger players for the major leagues
minors (baseball ) short name for the minor
leagues
Minstermen (association football ) nickname of the
English club York City [from York Minster, the
city’s medieval cathedral]
miscall ( general ) a bad or inaccurate call
miscue (billiards, snooker) a faulty stroke that results
from a poor contact between the cue tip
and the cue ball
misfield (cricket) a mistake made by a fielder, as
when a catch is dropped
mishit ( general ) a faulty hit
miskick ( general ) a kick made with the wrong part
of the foot, as in association football
misplay ( general ) an incorrect or faulty move or
play
miss (billiards, snooker) a (sometimes deliberate)
failure to hit the object ball, as a result of which
the player is penalized; ( general ) a failure to hit
the object aimed at, as in shooting
miss move (rugby union) a maneuver in which the
attacking three-quarters miss out a back in
order to move the ball more quickly to a player
in a wider position
miss the break (horse racing) to start after the other
horses in a race
miss the cut ( golf ) to fail to qualify for the final
round of a tournament
miss the water (rowing) to start the drive before the
catch has been completed
mittens (boxing) colloquial term for boxing gloves
mitts (baseball ) the special padded leather gloves
used to catch the ball
mix zone ( general ) an area at a sporting contest
where reporters can interview players or performers
immediately after their appearance
mixed doubles (tennis) a match with male and female
players on the same side
mixed martial arts (sport) a combat sport that incorporates
boxing, wrestling, jujitsu, and other
disciplines
MK Dons (association football ) short name of the
English club Milton Keynes Dons
mod-pen (Olympics) colloquial abbreviation of
modern pentathlon
modern pentathlon (Olympics) a contest in swimming,
riding, cross-country running, fencing,
and pistol shooting, introduced in 1912 as a
variant of the original pentathlon
mogul (skiing) a mound of hard snow forming
an obstacle on a ski slope [probably from a
Norwegian dialect word meaning “heap,”
“mound”]
mohawk (ice skating) a turn from either edge of
Milan-San • mohawk 96
the skate to the same edge on the other foot in
the opposite direction [as distinct from a
choctaw]
Monaco Grand Prix (auto racing) the Formula
One international Grand Prix held on the circuit
at Monte Carlo, Monaco
Monday morning quarterback (American football
) a person (not just a quarterback) who expresses
opinions about strategic decisions after
the outcome of a game is known [the big games
are played on Sunday afternoons]
Monkeyhangers (association football ) nickname of
the English club Hartlepool United [from a local
legend about the hanging of a monkey for spying,
represented by the team’s mascot, H-Angus,
depicted by a man in a monkey costme]
monocoque (auto racing) a one-piece structure
housing the cockpit of a race car; (cycling) a
one-piece construction method for bicycle
frames and wheels [French monocoque, literally
“single shell”]
monofil (angling) a fishing line made of a single
strand of synthetic fiber
monohull (sailing) a boat with a single hull, as distinct
from a catamaran or trimaran
monoski (skiing) a ski on which both feet are
placed
moonball (cricket) colloquial term for a high, looping
ball delivered by the bowler; (tennis) colloquial
term for a very high lob
moonshot (baseball ) another term for a tapemeasure
shot
morning glory (horse racing) a horse that runs
faster in morning training than in the actual race
Mosconi Cup (pool) the trophy awarded since
1994 to the winner of an annual competition in
nine-ball pool between the United States and
Europe [named commemoratively for the U.S.
champion player Willie Mosconi (1913–1993)]
Most Valuable Player (baseball ) the annual award
made to the player judged the most valuable to
his team in each of the major leagues; (basketball)
the annual award made to the outstanding
player in the NBA; ( general ) a similar award in
other sports
moto (cycling) colloquial name of BMX [from the
full form of the name]; (motorcycle racing) (1)
shortening of motocross; (2) a heat in this sport
motocross (motorcycle racing) a form of the sport on
solo motorcycles, motorcycles with sidecars, or
quad bikes on a cross-country circuit with natural
obstacles such as jumps
MotoGP (motorcycle racing) an annual race for
500cc motorcycles, first held in 1949 [from motorcycle
and GP]
motor racing (sport) another term for auto racing
motorcycle racing (sport) the racing of motorcycles,
usually categorized by modification or engine
size, around a specially-built track or over a
cross-country circuit
motorcyclist (motorcycle racing) the rider of a motorcycle
motorsport (sport) any sport that involves motorpowered
vehicles, as cars or motorcycles
mound (baseball ) the raised area a short distance
from home plate from which the pitcher throws
the ball to the batter
mount (equestrianism, horse racing) the horse that
a person is riding
mountain bike (cycling) a bicycle with strong heavy
tires designed for cross-country use, whether in
competition or for recreation
mountain biking (cycling) the sport or recreation
of riding a mountain bike
mountainboard (general) a narrow board mounted
on wheels and fitted with a steering mechanism,
ridden down mountain tracks or other hilly terrain
mountaineer (mountaineering) a person who
climbs mountains
mountaineering (sport) the climbing of rocks or
mountains, either in competition or as a selfimposed
physical challenge
mousetrap (American football ) a play in which a
defensive player crosses the line of scrimmage
and is then blocked from the side while the ball
carrier advances through the gap he has left
mouth guard (rugby league, rugby union) a guard
worn to protect the mouth
mouthpiece (boxing) the piece of plastic placed in
a boxer’s mouth to protect his teeth and prevent
him from biting his tongue
movement (equestrianism) a single maneuver in
dressage
mow (cricket) another term for a haymaker
mud wrestling (wrestling) a form of the sport in
an arena with a floor of wet mud
mudder (horse racing) colloquial term for a horse
that performs well in muddy conditions
mudlark (horse racing) another term for a mudder
muff ( general ) (1) a bungling or inapt player or
competitor; (2) a failure in a move or maneuver,
as a dropped catch in cricket or a slip from
a piece of apparatus in gymnastics
Muirfield ( golf ) a championship golf course east
of Edinburgh, Scotland
mulligan ( golf ) a free extra shot allowed to a
player who has made a bad shot [perhaps from
the Canadian player David Mulligan, who
played a “correction shot” after a bad shot]
multigym (gymnastics) (1) a piece of exercise equipment
that can be used in several ways or by several
people simultaneously; (2) a room with such
equipment
97 Monaco • multigym
multihull (sailing) a boat with two or more hulls,
as a catamaran or trimaran
multiplier (angling) a geared reel on a fishing rod,
used to draw the line in quickly [one turn of the
handle makes the spool rotate several times]
Munro (mountaineering) a Scottish (now also English,
Welsh, or Irish) mountain peak over 3,000
feet in height [named for the Scottish mountaineer
Sir Hugh Thomas Munro (1856–1919),
who published his original list in 1891]
Munro-bagger (mountaineering) a person who attempts
to climb every (Scottish) Munro
Murrayfield (rugby union) the sport’s Scottish
home ground, in Edinburgh
musette (cycling) a small shoulder bag containing
food handed to riders at feeding stations
[French musette, “horse’s nosebag”]
mush (surfing) the foam produced when a wave
breaks
mush! (sled dog racing) the command to the dogs
to start moving or to move faster [probably from
French marcher, “to walk”]
musher (sled dog racing) the driver of a dog team [he
calls mush!]
Musselburgh (horse racing) a flat and National
Hunt racecourse at Musselburgh, central Scotland
muzzle (greyhound racing) the guard fitted over a
greyhound’s mouth to protect other dogs while
racing and to serve as an aid in a photo finish
MVP ( general ) abbreviation of Most Valuable
Player
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