Why a hockey stick in particular? And where are all the other comments? And why do hockey sticks not have a particular name, like “hockey cue” or something?
tlh-in-tlh — it’s because hockey is a direct descendant of the Irish sport of “hurling” which, in its earliest forms, you were allowed to beat the other team with the “hurley” or “camán”. The term “stick” is a compromise; we’re lucky it’s not called a “hockey club”, “hockey mace”, “hockey cudgel”, or “hockey shillelagh”.
Some of the earliest records we have of this proto-hockey are in a law code setting out what penalties you had to pay for injuring or killing other players — apparently, actually KILLING your opponent was considered a significant personal foul, and you could be suspended for several games and your team could be fined. Even something as minor as maiming an opposing team member could be considered a foul if it was found to be deliberate.
The mythological hero Cú Chulainn started his heroic career by accidentally killing a legendary war dog by hitting it with the ball, and he had to become a legendary warrior to make up for it.
We happened to catch a bit of hurling on TV once, and the main purpose of the game seemed to be hitting each other with the sticks. As my husband said, “Wham wham wham wham wham wham wham and THEN a foul is called– what was that for, eye gouging?”
Well, this is my first coment. Like, ever. I just wanted to say thank you for all the great fun I had over all these years. Greetings from a old fan from Argentina
Why a hockey stick in particular? And where are all the other comments? And why do hockey sticks not have a particular name, like “hockey cue” or something?
tlh-in-tlh — it’s because hockey is a direct descendant of the Irish sport of “hurling” which, in its earliest forms, you were allowed to beat the other team with the “hurley” or “camán”. The term “stick” is a compromise; we’re lucky it’s not called a “hockey club”, “hockey mace”, “hockey cudgel”, or “hockey shillelagh”.
Some of the earliest records we have of this proto-hockey are in a law code setting out what penalties you had to pay for injuring or killing other players — apparently, actually KILLING your opponent was considered a significant personal foul, and you could be suspended for several games and your team could be fined. Even something as minor as maiming an opposing team member could be considered a foul if it was found to be deliberate.
The mythological hero Cú Chulainn started his heroic career by accidentally killing a legendary war dog by hitting it with the ball, and he had to become a legendary warrior to make up for it.
I’d like “hockey shillelagh”. (‘course, that’s more difficult to spell…) Thanks for the reply!
We happened to catch a bit of hurling on TV once, and the main purpose of the game seemed to be hitting each other with the sticks. As my husband said, “Wham wham wham wham wham wham wham and THEN a foul is called– what was that for, eye gouging?”
Burpcolocation; you send out a burp and tell your location by the replies of “eww!” you can hear.
I learn more from the comments than the comic. *2 thumbs up*
Your guardian angel clearly uses a hockey stick so that it can grab you and drag you into the right direction you are supposed to be traveling in.
I have this issue as well. I don’t remember road names or anything like that, just ‘that spot where you turn right.’
“Turn left at the rock that looks like a bear. Then, turn right at the bear that looks like a rock.”
Well, this is my first coment. Like, ever. I just wanted to say thank you for all the great fun I had over all these years. Greetings from a old fan from Argentina
Gracias!