Paul Dickson

Fittingly for the timeless sport whose language he brings to life, Paul Dickson's book began between innings. While waiting for the pitcher to warm up. With a conversation between a father and his sons. "I'm sitting there with my two boys and they start asking me questions about the strange words they heard," he recalled of that day in Baltimore's Memorial Stadium. "They asked things like, 'Why do they call it a bunt?' " Strange words, unimaginable meanings.

The last great cavalry charge in the United States occurred within sight of the White House on a hot July day in 1932. It was led by saber-wielding Maj. George S. Patton Jr. under the command of Gen. Douglas MacArthur. Mounted troopers were followed by tanks, machine gunners and soldiers with fixed bayonets hurling teargas bombs.

The last great cavalry charge in the United States occurred within sight of the White House on a hot July day in 1932. It was led by saber-wielding Maj. George S. Patton Jr. under the command of Gen. Douglas MacArthur. Mounted troopers were followed by tanks, machine gunners and soldiers with fixed bayonets hurling teargas bombs.

Fittingly for the timeless sport whose language he brings to life, Paul Dickson's book began between innings. While waiting for the pitcher to warm up. With a conversation between a father and his sons. "I'm sitting there with my two boys and they start asking me questions about the strange words they heard," he recalled of that day in Baltimore's Memorial Stadium. "They asked things like, 'Why do they call it a bunt?' " Strange words, unimaginable meanings.

Consider some fighting words. Let's jump into the fray and unscramble their origins. * Melee: When street toughs mix it up in France, it's called a melee (MAY-lay). It comes from the French word mesler (to mix). * Fracas: During a fray, people swear a lot; thus, "FRAY-cuss." Actually, fracas comes out swinging from the Italian fracassare (to make an uproar).

How do you get ready for a marathon? Well, if you're Jerry Dunn of Spearfish. S.D., you run 26.2 miles every day for the 25 days preceding the Boston Marathon on April 15. Dunn, 50, is a marathon junkie. In 1991, he ran across the United States, averaging 17 miles a day, six days a week during the 3 1/2 month trip. In 1993, he broke the world record for most marathons in a year, with 104. "I have a passion for running," he said. And for understatement.

Year Name Pos.

* Blitzkrieg : A German word meaning "lightning war." The term is popularly used to describe early German conquests in the war, especially the defeat of France. * Chaff or window : American and British names for strips of metal foil dropped from the air to create a false image on radar. * GI : A U.S. soldier, from "Government Issue." * Jeep : A derivative of the initials GP, meaning general-purpose vehicle.

Phoenix Sun Coach Cotton Fitzsimmons told Tim Tyers of the Arizona Republic that Charles Barkley isn't the most eccentric player he has coached. That distinction goes to Pete Maravich. "The Pistol was eccentric," said Fitzsimmons, who coached Maravich for two seasons with the Atlanta Hawks. "He painted pictures on the roof of his house. When the aliens came, he wanted them to think he was their friend. True story, he wanted them to know they were welcome."

Out this week, just in time for Octoberfest, is "Drunk: The Definitive Drinkers Dictionary." The book contains no fewer than 2,964 synonyms for "drunk." "The English language includes more synonyms for the word 'drunk' than for any other word," writes author Paul Dickson. He should know, being the Guinness World Records holder for cataloging synonyms such as "in his cups," "irrigated," "beer-soaked" and "casters up." Several words and phrases for "drunk" come with literary pedigrees.