headsy

adj. smart and bold; clever and ballsy. Subjects: English, Sports & Recreation

2 Comments | Cites | Permalink | Tell a Friend

Citations: 1947 The Progress (Clearfield, Pa.) (Nov. 28) “Osceola Redskins Repeat Over Legion, 14-0” p. 6: Rafferty, Latz, the Jaskowak brothers and Water played headsy ball for the invaders. 1975 Rich Cullen Daily Times (Salisbury, Md.) (Oct. 26) “Field Goal In Last 4 Seconds” p. 16: W & J, 5-1 entering the game, appeared unbeatable in the first half with headsy–smart football. 1984 AP (May 5) “Sports News” (in Toronto): First baseman John Wathan charged in to take control and flipped to the now-recovered Royals right-hander, but Griffin had already made his successful lunge for the base. “Headsy play,” said Stieb, the ace right-hander and winner of his fifth straight game without a loss thanks to Griffin’s unexpected move. 1986 Ted Castillo Baton Rouge Morning Advocate (7D) (Sept. 19) “Central turns back Catholic”: Abadie is a headsy player. He checked off and made the call himself on that play. 1992 Warren Hinckle Deadly Secrets (Nov.) p. 96 @ (Nov., 1993): The President says no deal.…I guess well have to be headsy-headsy about this. 1995 Evan Thomas The Very Best Men (Oct. 20) p. 258 @ (Dec. 10, 1996): He was always urging agency men to be “headsy” and “forward leaning.” 1998 Pat Summitt Raise the Roof (Nov. 3) p. 97 @ (Oct. 5, 1999): Ace calmly stepped in bounds, picked the ball up, and got a shot off. It was a smart, headsy solution. 2005 Katie Thomas Newsday (Long Island, N.Y.) (Dec. 27) “A teen, his drive & his goal”: In coaching parlance, Scott was “headsy,” Drummer said. “He could see the court, understand what’s going on, and take advantage of what opportunities the other team is giving you.”

Posted 27 Dec 05 | Permalink | Tell a Friend

Reader comments:

Probably derived from “heads-up” = ‘alert, resourceful’ (dated to 1947 by MWCD11).

by Ben Zimmer 27 Dec 05, 0545 GMT

I think so too, with reinforcement from “gutsy” and “ballsy.”

by Grant Barrett 27 Dec 05, 0553 GMT