I adore the way the oz media runs articles on sledging for the sole purpose of repeating some of the choicer examples. This one’s my current favourite ’cause it doesn’t bother pretending to be against it, plus it repeats my favourite anti-W. G. Grace sledge.
What do you reckon my chances are of getting some sledging going on science fiction panels at this year’s WorldCon? That’d liven them up quicksmart, not to mention preventing Gwenda’s death declaration from coming true.
Marrije: Ah, sledging. It’s an art, and like any art form it can be done appallingly badly, boringly, or sublimely. In its highest form, a sledge is a witty, sharp comment aimed at your opponent on a sporting field (typically a cricket oval—and usually delivered from the bowler, wicketkeeper or in close fielders any short or silly position, the slips) in order to undermine the confidence of the batsmen and put them off their game. Who knows if it actually has that effect? Who even cares? However, the very best sledges sure are funny and make me very happy.
But, but, what is sledging? I can’t quite make it out from the article. Which may of course just be my general denseness, but I’d love to hear your explanation. More good Aussie words!
yes! sledging at worldcon!
especially on those panels that you bounce along to with great enthusiasm and – either because the subject matter or the participants really interest you – only to find that none of the panelists could be arsed to even think about it all before arriving and the whole thing ends up dull & boring. been to a few of those and i think some good aussie sledging woulda livened things up considerably…
i say lets put ’em thru’ their paces.
The English are damned fine sledgers as are the Scots, so I’m expecting there’d be plenty of backup in the audience. It’s just a damned shame you won’t be there, Ron.
Thanks for the explanation! I think we have a similar thing (though not widely practiced as an art) called ‘zuigen’, usually it’s the football (soccer) goalie who tries to unnerve the guy taking a penalty shot. The very famous Hans van Breukelen used to be great at that. His English isn’t that good, though, so I’m afraid he won’t be a good guest to invite to worldcon.