28 Jun 07
Originally posted by RegicidalPlease name your dictionary.
A sport requires physical activity or exertion according to the dictionary definition. Hence, chess is not a sport. But people tend to stretch the definition by finding creative excuses for including physical exertion in the act of sitting and thinking for hours, lol.
At least in Nascar, the driver has to shift gears at precise times and turn the wheel. That's a bit more physical than pushing wood!
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28 Jun 07
Originally posted by PhlabibitUnless I am missing something( which wouldn't surprise me), I think the original question requires a definition of sport as a noun.
From Webster, definition one.
Main Entry: 1sport
Pronunciation: 'sport
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, to divert, disport, short for disporten
intransitive verb
1 a : to amuse oneself
28 Jun 07
Originally posted by BLReidIndeed. It's the politically correct policy of inclusion at work in these lame dictionary adjuncts. Isn't it curious that you never find #3 listed as #1?
From dictionary.com (first three lines of the definition taken):
sport
1. an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature, as racing, baseball, tennis, golf, bowling, wrestling, boxing, hunting, fishing, etc.
2. a particular form of this, esp. in the out of doors.
3. diversion; recreation; pleasant pastime ...[text shortened]... 1., so also not 2. Arguably fits 3., but almost anything fun would. Not a very good definition.
28 Jun 07
Originally posted by PhlabibitMSN encarta
Please name your dictionary.
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1. competitive physical activity: an individual or group competitive activity involving physical exertion or skill, governed by rules, and sometimes engaged in professionally ( often used in the plural )
2. pastime: an active pastime participated in for pleasure or exercise
3. somebody cheerful: somebody who remains cheerful when losing or in an unpleasant situation ( informal )
etc
28 Jun 07
Originally posted by RegicidalDoes that make it less a definition of the word? Should we only stick to #1 when reading any given dictionary?
Indeed. It's the politically correct policy of inclusion at work in these lame dictionary adjuncts. Isn't it curious that you never find #3 listed as #1?
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28 Jun 07
Originally posted by RegicidalSo, by definition 2 chess is sport.
MSN encarta
1. competitive physical activity: an individual or group competitive activity involving physical exertion or skill, governed by rules, and sometimes engaged in professionally ( often used in the plural )
2. pastime: an active pastime participated in for pleasure or exercise
3. somebody cheerful: somebody who remains cheerful when losing or in an unpleasant situation ( informal )
etc
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28 Jun 07
Originally posted by Phlabibitdifferent languages have different words for sport, none of which fully correspond to each other. hence our understanding of the word 'sport' differs as well. in finnish for example, the corresponding word 'urheilu' means something like 'braving' or 'brave about', which has much more to do with hunting, doing foolhardy stunts etc. than it has with training, excercising or athletics. basically, it's about fighting against odds without fear. for me, that fits chess pretty well, but has nothing to do with athletics.
Why is it so hard for people to look the word "Sport" up and read the definition?
Why is it so hard to discern Athletics from Sports?
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I think kasparov had somewhat similar opinion on the issue, but I don't feel like looking it up right now. it was somewhere in "kasparov teaches chess."
28 Jun 07
Originally posted by wormwoodI know he said something like: "Chess is the most violent sport"
different languages have different words for sport, none of which fully correspond to each other. hence our understanding of the word 'sport' differs as well. in finnish for example, the corresponding word 'urheilu' means something like 'braving' or 'brave about', which has much more to do with hunting, doing foolhardy stunts etc. than it has with training, ...[text shortened]... n't feel like looking it up right now. it was somewhere in "kasparov teaches chess."
28 Jun 07
Originally posted by wormwoodThe word Sport is English, so I'm using the English definition.
different languages have different words for sport, none of which fully correspond to each other. hence our understanding of the word 'sport' differs as well. in finnish for example, the corresponding word 'urheilu' means something like 'braving' or 'brave about', which has much more to do with hunting, doing foolhardy stunts etc. than it has with training, ...[text shortened]... n't feel like looking it up right now. it was somewhere in "kasparov teaches chess."
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