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Discussion Groups / British English / August 2004w.o. - throw in the towel
Hi, what does the abbrevation "w.o." stand for, when a sportsman throws in the towel? Thanks in advance for your help, Martin. > what does the abbrevation "w.o." stand for, when a sportsman throws in the > towel? Walkover. It's a victory awarded to a player because his opponent didn't turn up. Cheers Tony  SignatureTony Mountifield Work: tony@softins.co.uk - http://www.softins.co.uk Play: tony@mountifield.org - http://tony.mountifield.org >> what does the abbrevation "w.o." stand for, when a sportsman throws in >> the towel? > > Walkover. It's a victory awarded to a player because his opponent didn't > turn up. But was that athletics or horseracing? SignatureJohn Briggs > >> what does the abbrevation "w.o." stand for, when a sportsman throws in > >> the towel? [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > But was that athletics or horseracing? ??? sorry, I don't understand the significance of that question! I've seen it used in various events where there are two opposing competitors, either individuals or teams. It makes less sense when there are three or more competitors at once, unless all but one don't turn up. Cheers Tony SignatureTony Mountifield Work: tony@softins.co.uk - http://www.softins.co.uk Play: tony@mountifield.org - http://tony.mountifield.org >> >> what does the abbrevation "w.o." stand for, when a sportsman throws in >> >> the towel? [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] >there are three or more competitors at once, unless all but one >don't turn up. I think, but am not certain, that the phrase originated in horseracing. AHD via Dictionary.com "2. A horserace with only one horse entered, won by the mere formality of walking the length of the track" SignaturePeter Duncanson UK (posting from u.c.l.e) >>>> what does the abbrevation "w.o." stand for, when a sportsman throws in >>>> the towel? [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > there are three or more competitors at once, unless all but one > don't turn up. "A horserace with only one horse entered, won by the mere formality of walking the length of the track." http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=walkover SignatureJohn Briggs > "A horserace with only one horse entered, won by the mere formality of > walking the length of the track." > > http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=walkover Well there you go! Thanks, that's today's new trivia item taken care of :-) Cheers Tony SignatureTony Mountifield Work: tony@softins.co.uk - http://www.softins.co.uk Play: tony@mountifield.org - http://tony.mountifield.org |
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