Dynasty (n): a powerful group or family that maintains its position for a considerable time (Merriam-Webster)



Does this really describe the New England Patriots? The talk of "dynasty" by the sports media began before the game and is in full force now. I remain unconvinced, though-- UCLA in the 60s and 70s, Celtics in the 60s, Islanders in the 80s, Yankees in 30s, 40s, 50s -- those are dynasties. Should the word attach for 3 championships in 4 years? Perhaps the rules are different in the NFL. But even the Cowboys of the early 90s made it to the conference championship games in the years when they did not win the Super Bowl. The Patriots missed the play-offs entirely in the fourth year. Is that maintaining a position of power?



Or maybe the word just means something different in sports. Perhaps we need a Sports Dictionary, where words take on new meanings. "Dynasty" = a team that wins multiple championships, even if non-consecutively, in a compressed time frame. Does that fit?



What are some other words that have a different meaning in sports? I would love to hear ideas.

Posted in: