John McEnroe playing World Team Tennis in Mamaroneck, NY (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Visual Description: The 1980′s Bad-boy of tennis arguing with the ump.
ANFIT = FAINT, MKSIP = SKIMP, QAOUEP = OPAQUE, AHMMEY = MAYHEM — Giving us: INTSKIOPEAHM
Clue/Question: John McEnroe would sometimes lose his temper trying to . . .
Answer: MAKE HIS POINT
(Sometimes??? I shouldn’t talk. The other side of yer uncle is easily as dark and volatile as Johnny-boy! A lot of purists don’t like this style of tennis player, but I think the guys who wear their hearts on their sleeves, like Ilie Nastase, Jimmy Connors, Boris Becker and John McEnroe have humanized the sport, and have brought it more of a mass appeal. Tennis used to be much more elitist. Now, even your ham and eggers pay attention to the major tournaments. What I’m not all that crazy about are the grunters. There seem to be a lot more women grunters than men, and for me the grunts just get so friggin’ tedious. And of course, certain grunts are more annoying than others. I think some coaches actually teach grunting. I understand the concept of why, but I don’t necessarily buy into it. Tennis will never match my love for team sports, but it is a great sport, and I do watch it, on occasion.
mayhem-is-coming-allstate (Photo credit: roberthuffstutter)
No new clue words again, today, but everything was jumbled really well. “Skimp” is a fun word. But, I especially liked “opaque” and “mayhem”. I like the Mayhem character in the Allstate commercials! Seems like all the best commercials these days are insurance commercials. The answer letter layout was excellent, and Jeff did a great job depicting McEnroe’s antics. Be well, do good . . . and try to control your tempers, friends. I’ll try to do my part.) — YUR
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Hello
I apologize but I do not know what tennis “grunters” are. What does that mean, how come women are more so this way than men.. I do not watch tennis.
Gwen
Gwen,
It’s not an official term, but grunters make audible grunts when they serve the ball, and many grunt loudly with each and every hit of the ball. Some are very loud and demonstrative in their grunting, while others are a little more subtle about it. There’s a debatable theory that says your stroke carries more power when you audibilize them with these . . . grunts. Some, mostly girls/women, are coached to believe that this will give them an edge. I think more men think it’s unnecessary, and some, undoubtedly, think it un-macho.
— YUR
It’s just plain annoying, that grunting! I used to play tennis back in college, and I thought a two handed back hand was ground breaking, but that grunting…NO! Anyway, I missed the Jumble! I’ve had too many serious things to take care of lately that all turned out well. So, it was fun to do the Jumble today. I had a hard time with all the words except SKIMP, and I had to even back into FAINT. You see, 5 days off, and I forget all the tricks to my favorite word game.
The two-handed backhand WAS ground breaking, Lesley. SO glad that things turned out well.
— YUR
Just finishing Friday’s Jumble (it being Mother’s day and all) and found it formidable. YUR, I also hate grunting & think the Mayhem ones are among the best commercials. But I also like the cavemen & a certain hotel chain, where the guy who stays there “gets a leg up on the competition”. !!! BW&DG, Uncle.
Oh, Betsy, I just read your post. Love that word formidable! Excellent Jumble description!