Before yesterday afternoon, I swear to God, I had never heard the expression "chalk" to describe a popular or heavily favored pick. I trust I'm alone in my abject ignorance. As is usually the case, though, when I learn a new word or come across a wonderfully inventive turn of phrase, I end up hearing or reading it everywhere. I've heard either "chalk," "all chalk," or "go chalk" about 25 times this afternoon, and, since I like to think of myself as the inquisitive and handsome type, I started researching its etymology. If you'll forgive my doltishness for a moment, here's a pretty cool explanation of the origins of my new favorite word. I'll assume it's accurate because 1.) I found it on the Internet and 2.) it seems likely.
When [...] odds changes had to be relayed to the public on a chalkboard, oftentimes the name of the favorite horse would be obscured by all the chalk dust created by the multiple erasures. Some bettors would approach the window near post time, and find themselves unable to read the favorite's name clearly, just referring to that horse as 'chalk.' It became an acceptable way to wager on the favorite, and thus was the genesis of a term we now use on a daily basis.
Obviously, I need to start hanging around the track more. Or maybe reread some old William Kennedy and Damon Runyon stories. Anyway, aside from A&M's and Maryland's "upsets" over BYU and Cal, respectively, this afternoon's games pretty much went according to chalk. (Ed. Note: Well played, handsome). Memphis blew a few tires but lived to tell the tale-- provided, of course, people still listen to John Calipari when he isn't complaining about something.
I expect tonight's games to be a little less, well, chalk.
