Word of the Day: Grand Slam
grand slam
grand slam / grănd slăm
noun
1. in baseball, a home run hit with runners already on all three bases
I hit a grand slam off Ron Herbel and when his manager Herman Franks came out to get him, he was bringing Herbel’s suitcase.
Bob Uecker, 1935 –
2. the winning of all major competitions in a sport, such as tennis or golf, in a single season (often Grand Slam)
To win Grand Slams you have to be in the right frame of mind, the right physical shape.
Jennifer Capriati, 1976 –
3. in bridge, the winning of all thirteen tricks in one hand by a player or side
Most players know they should not attempt a grand slam unless the odds are substantially in their favor.
Alan Truscott, “Bridge: Percentages Should Decide When to Bid a Grand Slam”, ‘The New York Times’, February 16, 1981
etymology
From the Latin adjective grandis (great, big) through the Middle English and Old French adjective grand of the same meaning and the English noun slam (bang, blow, hit), probably from an Old Norse word; see the Norwegian dialect words slamre, slemma (slam).
Thank you to Allen Ward for providing this etymology.
