Re: Shouts of encouragement

In message <4e4t3oF1dara4U1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Siderius Nuncius <matron.nuncius@xxxxxxxxx> writes
It seems to me that "Go on!" is used when encouraging someone to persist in continuing to do something specific during a sporting contest. "Come on!" is more a shorthand for "I support you."

If I'm watching Horse Racing and I have a particular interest in a potential winner I urge "Come on!" If I'm watching Show Jumping, likewise, my encouragement is "Go on!"

In the former it's a case of wishing the horse to go faster towards the Finish, where I am virtually waiting. In the latter, it means "keep going clear as you have done up to now (and if it's a Speed Comp, keep the pace up).

I tend not to be shouting anything at other sporting events. Except Kabadi used to encourage me to the occasional "YAY!" or similar. Now that Channel 4 have got More 4 and E4 and Plus Fours^h surely they could find room somewhere for Kabadi again?
--
Jenny
"I always like to have the morning well-aired before I get up."
(Beau Brummel, 1778-1840)
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