Sporting Vernacular: 23. Bogey
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.HEAVEN KNOWS what Major Wellman of Great Yarmouth Golf Club would have made of the Open Championship that finished yesterday. There were even more bogeys than there were complaints about the harshness of the Carnoustie links (from Old English hlinc, "ridge" or "rising ground").
"Bogey" originated in 1890. The Major was playing a round - badly - with the club secretary Dr Thomas Browne RN. Strokeplay and the idea of "playing against the course" was new to Wellman, and he exclaimed, referring to a hit song of the time, that his mysterious opponent was a regular "bogeyman". The term caught on at the club and spread. ("Bogeyman" itself came from Middle English bugge, which referred both to a scarecrow and more spectral terrors.)
One term not heard too many times over the weekend was "albatross", denoting a three-under-par shot. The word comes from the Portuguese for pelican, alcatres, which gave its name to Alcatraz (the prison island was originally home to pelicans rather than prisoners).
A few golfers this morning may feel they have been let out of gaol.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments