The ubiquitous term "Team"

[williammcgregor]

Does any other forum member agree with me and find the ubiquitous term "Team" i.e.(Team GB) irritating?

It is currently very heavily used by all media during the Olympics; but it also crops up in other sports, also in everyday life as well, i.e. politics, work etc.

Where did it originate from? Did it start as this link suggests? www.quora.com/Where-did-the-term-Team-___-originate

To me it just sounds so juvenile.

I know in the great scheme of things it is inconsquential, but it irritates the life out of me.

Or maybe I'm a grumpy old Git and should "get a life as they say"

[tombeveridge]

William, My first awareness of "Team Such and Such" was back in the 80s or 90s with "Team USA" at World Cups and Olympics. (Might it have started with the Dream Team and the professionalized death of the Olympics? Or when the World Cup was held in the US?)
I suppose it was a shorter and more accurate expression than "the American Team" (Canadians, Mexicans, and other are part of "America") and a neater expression than "The United States Team" or (God forbid!), "Team United States." So, in that context, it was clear, clean, and appropriate.
However, like you, it really does set me teeth on edge, although not quite as much (yet!) as those moronic meteorologists who never seem to miss the opportunity to refer to snow as "the white stuff" and, for each one, with a tone that betrays the smug belief that he/she is the first human ever to think of such a witty comment. I live in the US (from Scotland) so I sincerely hope this boil on the bum of life does not spread to the cherished homeland.
Grumpy old Git?? Well, yes, of course!
BTW, keep up the good work on Francie and Josie--a fond reminder of a time when snow was snow and "team" referred only to Rangers or Celtic.

[John Green]

I was aware of Marvel Comics' 'Team America' (now known as Thunderiders) in 1982...

The only place it would be appropriate would be in Staffordshire,where fans could wear 'Team Tean' tee-shirts.

[Stephen Byers]

We were at Brest Maritime Festival in 2004. In a cafe there we saw Ellen MacArthur with a bunch of professional looking male yachties. We asked who they were and were told "Oh that's 'Team Ellen' as if that explained everything.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_MacArthur

Then in 2007 we heard that MacArthur headed up 'BT Team Ellen' for some reason.

It goes on and on. I digress ...

[williammcgregor]

Aug 14, 2016 15:18:42 GMT tombeveridge said:

William, My first awareness of "Team Such and Such" was back in the 80s or 90s with "Team USA" at World Cups and Olympics. (Might it have started with the Dream Team and the professionalized death of the Olympics? Or when the World Cup was held in the US?)
I suppose it was a shorter and more accurate expression than "the American Team" (Canadians, Mexicans, and other are part of "America") and a neater expression than "The United States Team" or (God forbid!), "Team United States." So, in that context, it was clear, clean, and appropriate.
However, like you, it really does set me teeth on edge, although not quite as much (yet!) as those moronic meteorologists who never seem to miss the opportunity to refer to snow as "the white stuff" and, for each one, with a tone that betrays the smug belief that he/she is the first human ever to think of such a witty comment. I live in the US (from Scotland) so I sincerely hope this boil on the bum of life does not spread to the cherished homeland.
Grumpy old Git?? Well, yes, of course!
BTW, keep up the good work on Francie and Josie--a fond reminder of a time when snow was snow and "team" referred only to Rangers or Celtic.

Thanks Tom,

So it was the expression Team USA to blame? could they not have used the term (The) United States instead of (Team USA)?

I understand what you say about meteorologists using the term "The white stuff" they must have thought I'm being so witty here? when viewers just wanted to know is it going to snow or what? I can't remember if our forecasters use that expression? I'll keep an eye out this winter.

Thanks for your kind words on my old "Francie and Josie" thread it's my favourite thread. I must take a trip to Glasgow University one day as they have scripts from the TV series that I need.

[williammcgregor]

Thanks for your comments John and Stephen. I was'nt aware of the Marvel Comics and Ellen MacArthur scenario's.

[Tony Walshaw]

Aug 14, 2016 12:47:13 GMT williammcgregor said:

Does any other forum member agree with me and find the ubiquitous term "Team" i.e.(Team GB) irritating?

....it also crops up in other sports, also in everyday life as well, i.e. politics, work etc.

Yes, it can be irritating when you hear such Americanisms, e.g. at the start of the TV news: "More medals for Teeeam GeeBee....".

You think "should I just sit and watch the news , or should I be jigging in front of the settee waving my arms in the air.... ?"

You wish they would say something like "Britain's athletes have won more medals".

Another recent example of a buzzword is 'Brexit'. I wonder how many disinterested people know this term, but don't know that the UK has voted to leave the EU.... 

It is all part of how sport, politics and business are tied in with the media and entertainment. Each one 'sells' the other.

P.S. Just think, if this was the 1960s, most of the footage containing these terms would have been wiped....

[John Green]

Take one for the team: "informal, chiefly US Willingly undertake an unpleasant task or make a personal sacrifice for the collective benefit of one’s friends or colleagues:
I took one for the team by naming myself the designated driver."

Makes you wanna leave,doesn't it?

[John Green]

You know that a tabloid journalist would love to headline:

TEAM GB TB?

[williammcgregor]

Aug 15, 2016 9:16:50 GMT John Green said:

Take one for the team: "informal, chiefly US Willingly undertake an unpleasant task or make a personal sacrifice for the collective benefit of one’s friends or colleagues:
I took one for the team by naming myself the designated driver."

Makes you wanna leave,doesn't it?

Thanks for reminding me John ...I also hate the expression "Take one for the team" as well.

I do not understand the current vibe for always having to be part of a "Team?"

Let's hope the forum never changes to (Team - Missing Episodes)

[richardwoods]

Aug 20, 2016 4:38:48 GMT williammcgregor said:

Aug 15, 2016 9:16:50 GMT John Green said:

Take one for the team: "informal, chiefly US Willingly undertake an unpleasant task or make a personal sacrifice for the collective benefit of one’s friends or colleagues:
I took one for the team by naming myself the designated driver."

Makes you wanna leave,doesn't it?

Thanks for reminding me John ...I also hate the expression "Take one for the team" as well.

I do not understand the current vibe for always having to be part of a "Team?"

Let's hope the forum never changes to (Team - Missing Episodes)

Shudder I would be in the rush for the exit, LOL

[williammcgregor]

Aug 15, 2016 9:16:50 GMT John Green said:

Take one for the team: "informal, chiefly US Willingly undertake an unpleasant task or make a personal sacrifice for the collective benefit of one’s friends or colleagues:
I took one for the team by naming myself the designated driver."

Makes you wanna leave,doesn't it?

I agree John.

It also crops up in British football when an player is deliberately fouled to stop him running past a defender and getting into a good attacking position.

The defender knows he'll either get booked or sent off, but, if he has prevented an almost certain goal then it's deemed as "taking one for the team"

[williammcgregor]

Aug 21, 2016 9:04:58 GMT richardwoods said:

Aug 20, 2016 4:38:48 GMT williammcgregor said:

Thanks for reminding me John ...I also hate the expression "Take one for the team" as well.

I do not understand the current vibe for always having to be part of a "Team?"

Let's hope the forum never changes to (Team - Missing Episodes)

Shudder I would be in the rush for the exit, LOL

You'd have to beat me first Richard!

[John Green]

I had to check out Lostshows.

'The team': www.lostshows.com/default.aspx?search=the+team

'Team': www.lostshows.com/default.aspx?search=team

[John Green]

I've just realised that Time Team isn't listed on Lostshows-but they can't list everything!