Talk:Underdog (competition)

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Could do with some mention of the psychology of favoring the underdog. 80N 10:05, Feb 2, 2005 (UTC)

Do you mean with respect to betting? Ground 04:12, 16 Mar 2005 (UTC)

[edit] The origin of the word

The article is missing the origin of the word and other historical details such as usage and alternative spelling. One reference [1] states it is from 1887. Also I sometimes see it split in two words under dog, as in Agatha Cristie's story from 1926.

I have no idea how some of the totally inaccurate and off-base information gets posted on Wikipedia or how and why it is then accepted as fact, but the listed origin of the word "underdog" as a guy who gets covered in saw dust to explain why the word is used as a descriptive for a person, team, group, etc. not expected to win a contest is a good case-in-point example. While it may in fact be the origin of the word itself; it is not the origin of it's common usage.

The actual origin of the now common usage of the word "underdog" is based on the legendary race horse Man o' War. (March 29, 1917 Nursery Stud farm, Lexington, Kentucky - November 1, 1947, Faraway Farm. Man o' War is still considered by many, if not most, experts to be the greatest thoroughbred racehorse of all time. During his career just after World War I, he won 20 of 21 races and set I believe three World Records.)

The only blemish on his near-perfect career on the track was a single loss that came as a complete surprise. The name of the horse who shocked onlookers when he inexplicably handed Man o' War his only career loss? You probably already figured it out. "Underdog".

Doesn't that make a little more sense than the sawdust origin? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Jess symgai (talk • contribs) 06:27, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

It would make more sense only if it were correct, which it isn't. According to Wikipedia's own page on Man o' War the name of the horse he lost to was Upset. The incorrect portion of Man o' War's entry should be removed. 97.84.191.2 (talk) 00:11, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Stretches

This article needs to cut down on the sports under dogs because some of them are ridiculous stretches especially the Astros

right, there is way too much recent underdogs...as if people add them because they saw it on TV or it concerns their favorite team. I also suggets the addition Goran Ivanišević's 2001 wimbledon victory as a wildcard.ErnestC 18:36, 20 February 2007 (UTC)