Talking like rugby players: a culinary metaphor to discover
Rugby, this popular and emblematic sport, has a language all its own. Rugby players use culinary expressions and metaphors that add even more flavor to their speech. A few days before the start of the World Cup, let’s dive into the colorful world of rugby jargon.
The language of “big guys”: keeping the ball in the “pot”
The “bigs”, these eight players in front also called the “piano movers”, have a crucial role on the field. They must avoid “throwing a pizza” into touch, that is, losing the ball during a failed throw into touch. They prefer to keep him in the “cocotte”, a scrum where they surround the ball carrier to protect him.
And when the forwards want to mark their territory, they distribute “caramels” or devastating tackles also called “buffers” or “cartridges”. But they must be careful not to carry out a “cathedral tackle”, which consists of violently turning the opponent over, under penalty of being expelled from the match.
The backs: masters of technical gestures
The backs, for their part, play against their opponents with impressive technical gestures. We find in particular the famous “chistera”, an acrobatic gesture where the player sends the ball behind his back with one hand. They also attempt “cad deb”, sudden changes of direction to outflank their opponents.
Anglo-Saxon vocabulary and other expressions
Rugby being a sport of English origin, it is not surprising to find certain expressions borrowed from the English language. For example, “offload” refers to a pass after contact, where the player manages to give the ball to a teammate even if he is tackled.
Some expressions are specific to French rugby, such as the famous “scraping” on the ground, which consists of recovering the ball with the strength of the biceps. Players like Julien Marchand or Gregory Alldritt excel at this exercise.
The third half: a well-established ritual
Once the 80 minutes of play are over, players can finally enjoy the “third half”. It’s time for reunions, glasses raised to celebrate a victory or drown out defeat. Players savor these memorable moments, which are an integral part of rugby culture.
In conclusion, the language of rugby players is both colorful and steeped in tradition. Culinary expressions add a touch of friendliness and authenticity to this intense sport. So if you want to sound like a rugby player, you’ll have to master these metaphors and dive into the earthy world of rugby.