Unusual Sports Team Names Word Quiz

You’re listening to A Way with Words, the show about language and how we use it.

I’m Martha Barnette.

And I’m Grant Barrett, and we’re joined by John Janeski, our quiz guy.

Hi, John.

Hi, Grant.

Hi, Martha.

You know, guys, when I do pub trivia, every once in a while we have to do a sports question, and most people complain, but some people like sports questions. So every once in a while you’ve got to do them.

Now, as far as sports and words go, I’m a fan of a particularly well-chosen team name. Now, to my mind, the name has to fill several needs. It has to inspire or intimidate or should denote strength or power like the St. Louis Rams or the Colorado Rockies. It could speak to local pride like the New York Knickerbockers or the Houston Texans. It could also have a clever connection to the city or the state like the Minnesota Twins or the New England Revolution, right? So I’ll describe the providence of an actual sports team name that I find interesting or unusual. Now see if you can figure out the name of the team.

For example, the only team whose games I regularly attend may seem to be named for a large-scale weather event, but in actuality, this minor league baseball team is located near a legendary roller coaster, and that’s where they got their name. Do you happen to know which one it is?

Is it the Heat? Miami Heat?

No.

Is it the Thunder? There’s a Thunder somewhere.

No.

This is actually a team I regularly attend.

Yes, the Brooklyn Cyclones.

Yeah, named after the Cyclone roller coaster.

That’s right. Now, it sounds great. It’s perfect. You know, the Cyclone is very impressive, and it’s connected to the Coney Islands. Great. They are the minor league affiliate of the New York Metropolitans.

Let’s test your sports knowledge when it comes to nomenclature. This NFL team may sound like they’re named for a dark avian associated with Halloween, but more specifically, or rather more literally, their name references a famous poem written by a famous resident of their city. It’s the Baltimore Ravens.

Ravens. Baltimore Ravens, right.

This NBA franchise, founded in 1985, alludes to the most popular tourist attraction in its state and the kingdom that resides within it. The most popular tourist attraction in this state and the kingdom that resides within it.

Is it California?

No.

Is it Florida?

It is in Florida, yes, but it’s not a Florida. It has a city name.

Yeah, I’m going to say the Orlando Tinkerbells.

The Orlando Magic.

So close, yes.

Oh, okay. Orlando Magic, yes.

Since 1970, this Major League Baseball team has been named in honor of its city’s iconic industry. It may sound like they make coffee, but it’s another very popular drink. The Brewers.

Milwaukee Brewers.

The Brewers.

That’s right. Beer.

Grinders?

What?

This Major League Baseball team had seven players get married in its first year, so they were nicknamed the Bridegrooms. Intimidating, I know. They were later given a name that referenced local mass transit. They then moved to a city that doesn’t have trolleys, but they kept the last half of that name. What are they?

The Brooklyn Dodgers.

Right. Well, they were the Brooklyn Dodgers, and now they are the L.A. Dodgers. Formerly the Brooklyn Bridegrooms.

Right. They still had the tail end of the trolley car system when the Dodgers showed up, but it was disappearing quickly.

They did. They did not dodge marriage.

Finally, this major league soccer club’s name pays tribute to the man their city is named for and all the men who worked for him, specifically on a series of voyages about 500 years ago.

500 years ago.

So Columbus.

Yes. Major League Soccer Club is the Columbus.

Of course, it’s always important that your team name is alliterative. Columbus was in charge of spending the Queen’s money well. Columbus and his men.

Columbus and his?

Sailors.

On Quest.

Who mans a ship?

What’s that?

Who mans a ship? What group of people?

Crew.

Yes, the Columbus Crew.

Oh. That’s their soccer club name.

Gotcha. That’s a new one for me.

Yeah, very good. Anyway, you guys did fantastic. Very good on sports. John, you did superbly. It was perfecto.

I was superb.

Thank you. I was perfecto.

John, thanks so much.

Thank you. Talk to you next time.

And if you’d like to talk with us, call us, 877-929-9673, or send your emails to words@waywordradio.org, or you can find us on Twitter at Wayword.