wipeout
noun
Wipeout — a dramatic, often spectacular fall in action sports
Definition
A spill in some sport (as a fall from a bicycle or while skiing or being capsized on a surfboard)
In depth
A wipeout is a spill in some sport, particularly associated with activities like surfing, skiing, or cycling, where a fall from a bicycle or being capsized on a surfboard creates a particularly dramatic, often visually striking accident. The word carries an energetic, almost exhilarating tone, suiting the high-speed, high-stakes sports most commonly associated with the term.
Origin
The phrase combines 'wipe' with 'out,' the construction suggesting a complete, total removal from one's previous position, much as wiping a surface clean removes everything from it. Its strong association with surf culture, where it gained particular prominence during the mid-twentieth century, reflects the sport's own distinctive vocabulary, much of which has since spread into broader action sports terminology.
Usage examples
"His spectacular wipeout on the final wave became an instant favorite among the gathered spectators."
"The skier's wipeout, though frightening to watch, resulted in nothing more serious than a temporary loss of dignity."
"Surfing videos are filled with dramatic wipeouts, often celebrated nearly as much as the successful rides themselves."
How to use it
Wipeout is energetic, accessible vocabulary particularly associated with action sports culture, surfing, skiing, snowboarding, and cycling, well suited to sports writing emphasizing the dramatic, visually exciting nature of such falls.
Related concepts
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