Sports Terms
In baseball, this is what it’s called when a pitcher throws three strikes before the batter even touches the ball.
Strikeout
🧠 Fun Fact:
A strikeout happens when a batter swings and misses three times, or doesn’t swing at three pitches within the strike zone. It's one of the most exciting ways for a pitcher to win a battle in baseball — and the strikeout king of all time is Nolan Ryan with over 5,700 strikeouts!
This U.S. state is made up of islands and is known for hula dancing, volcanoes, and beaches.
Hawaii
🧠 Fun Fact:
Hawaii became the 50th U.S. state in 1959. It's the only state that grows coffee commercially and has an active volcano, Kilauea.
In August, these insects’ chirps could raise Rumpelstiltskin from his sleep.
Crickets
The higher the temperature, the more frequent the chirps. Today, the expression “crickets” is used to indicate silence on a subject.
If you receive this red flower, it signifies the sender’s love.
Rose
Rose is an anagram for eros, the Greek word for romantic love.
This famous scientist is best known for his theory of relativity and his equation, E = mc².
Albert Einstein
🧠 Fun Fact:
Einstein was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 for his explanation of the photoelectric effect, which helped lay the foundation for quantum theory.
In cribbage, this is what it's called when one player reaches the finish line and the other hasn’t even passed the halfway mark.
Skunk
🧠 Fun Fact:
A “skunk” win in cribbage means the loser didn’t make it past 90 points. There's even a “double skunk” if the loser didn’t reach 60! The term likely comes from the idea of getting badly “stunk up” in the game.
This cold continent is found at the bottom of the Earth and has no permanent residents.
Antarctica
🧠 Fun Fact:
Antarctica is the driest, coldest, and windiest continent. Only scientists live there temporarily in research stations.
This tiny bird is known for having the fastest wingbeat of any bird — up to 80 times per second — and takes around 150 breaths per minute.
Hummingbird
🧠 Fun Fact:
Hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly backward! Their hearts can beat over 1,200 times a minute, and their wings move so fast, they make a humming sound — that’s how they got their name.
This octagonal red sign is the universal sign for this.
STOP
A yellow sign generally means “caution” or “warning” and is often in the shape of a triangle.
In basketball, this term is used when a player makes a basket from behind the three-point line.
Three-pointer
🧠 Fun Fact:
The three-point shot was first introduced in the NBA during the 1979-80 season. Today, it’s one of the most exciting plays in basketball. Players like Stephen Curry have revolutionized the game with their incredible accuracy from beyond the arc!
This long river flows through Egypt and is one of the longest rivers in the world.
Nile
🧠 Fun Fact:
The Nile River is over 4,000 miles long. Ancient Egyptians depended on it for water, food, and transportation.
On a sunny summer day in the neighborhood, often you can hear the racket made by these yard machines.
Lawnmower
Mowing the lawn is frequently near the top of many men’s honey-do lists—right after taking out the garbage.
This is the only red precious gemstone.
Ruby
The other precious stones are diamonds, sapphires, and emeralds.
In soccer, this term refers to the final act of a game when a team tries to settle the match by scoring goals in a shootout.
Penalty kick shootout
🧠 Fun Fact:
Penalty shootouts were introduced to soccer to avoid endless ties. The first penalty shootout in a World Cup match took place in 1994 during the World Cup finals between Italy and Brazil. It made for some intense drama and was a defining moment for soccer fans worldwide!
This mountain is the tallest in the world and lies on the border of Nepal and China.
Mount Everest
🧠 Fun Fact:
Mount Everest stands over 29,000 feet tall! Many people try to climb it each year, but it’s a dangerous journey.
Sizzling sounds often indicate food is being prepared on this summer staple.
Grill / BBQ
The sizzling sounds and the accompanying aromas are no longer relegated to summer; grilling has become an all-year activity.
A red necktie is often called this, as it symbolizes authority and confidence in the wearer.
Power tie
Wearing a red tie or a red dress makes a strong statement.
The British royals often wear red to show power.
In tennis, this term is used when a player hits the ball so well that it lands within the boundaries of the court and is nearly impossible to return.
Ace
🧠 Fun Fact:
An ace is one of the most satisfying plays in tennis — it’s when the server hits a perfect serve that the opponent can’t even touch. Serena Williams and Roger Federer are famous for serving up aces during their careers, adding excitement to the sport!
This line around the middle of the Earth divides the northern and southern hemispheres.
Equator
🧠 Fun Fact:
The equator is an imaginary line, but it’s very important for navigation and climate. Places near the equator are usually warm year-round.
Kids come running when they hear music coming from this truck.
Ice cream truck
Ice cream trucks still come through neighborhoods today just as they did back then, an enduring summer tradition.
This red vegetable with an edible pink stalk is sometimes mistakenly thought to be a fruit.
Rhubarb
A member of the buckwheat family, rhubarb is in fact a vegetable. Rhubarb is tart, often combined with strawberries, and always cooked.
In golf, this term refers to a score that is two strokes under par on a hole.
Eagle
🧠 Fun Fact:
An eagle is one of the most exciting achievements in golf. It happens when a player completes a hole in two strokes less than the par. For example, if a par-4 hole is completed in just two strokes, that’s an eagle. Tiger Woods has made several eagles in major tournaments, often creating unforgettable moments for fans. An eagle is a rare feat, especially on longer holes, and a golfer’s career highlights often include these incredible shots!
This desert, found in Africa, is the largest hot desert in the world.
Sahara
🧠 Fun Fact:
The Sahara Desert is almost as big as the United States! Some places in it can go years without any rain.
When you hear the crackling sound coming from this, get ready to sing some songs or tell your favorite ghost story.
Campfire
Always remember fire safety during and after a campfire. The best way to put out the fire safely is to douse it with water. If you have time, wait until the logs have turned into embers. Keep pouring water until you no longer hear any hissing from the embers. Then stir the ashes to ensure that there’s nothing still burning. Keep dousing and stirring until nothing is burning.
This coated group of soldiers, famous during the American Revolutionary War, were nicknamed for the color of their uniforms.
Redcoats?
🧠 Fun Fact:
The British soldiers were called Redcoats because of their bright red uniforms, which made them easy to spot. While striking in appearance, the red made them targets in battle — and the nickname stuck throughout history.