Saturday, November 2, 2013

Pet Peeve: Bye vs. Open

We blame the NFL.

For what, you say? For inappropriately using the word "bye".

For reference, here is the definition:

bye 1 also by  (b)
n.
1. A secondary matter; a side issue.
2. Sports The position of one who draws no opponent for a round in a tournament and so advances to the next round.

Did you see the second definition? Unless you are in a tournament (playoffs), there is no bye. The team just has an open week, i.e., they do not play. They are not advancing anywhere. If they played and lost, they still would play the next week.

The NFL started this bastardization when they started having open weeks. And now it has caught on.

It is not a bye. It is an open week.

This is of no consequence other than the further erosion of the English language. Feel free to use "bye" inappropriately at your free will. We will think less of you if you do.

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