golf

African golf ball

offensive slang A watermelon. A reference to the stereotype of Black people having an affinity for watermelon. (As former African-American slaves grew and sold watermelons following the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, the fruit became representative of their freedom and was then used as a demeaning stereotype by whites who opposed that freedom.)

See also: African, ball, golf

golf clap

1. noun An instance of applause performed in a quiet, restrained manner. Typical of spectators at a golf course, where it is traditional to maintain a quiet, restrained atmosphere. Elsewhere, it can be done in a humorous or mocking way. You're performing in a museum—you're only going to get a golf clap here, not wild cheers. All I got for my effort was golf claps—really? Golf claps only, please. This is a library, after all.

2. verb To clap in such a way. The crowd golf clapped and murmured in appreciation of the player's massive drive. You don't have to golf clap here—let's see some enthusiasm, folks! After the artist spoke about his newest collection, the audience golf clapped and began to peruse his works in the gallery.

See also: clap, golf

golf widow

A woman whose husband frequently absents himself from home so as to go and play golf. I thought I would finally see more of John after his retirement, but I became a golf widow instead. I don't consider myself a golf widow because I go out with my friends when my husband's at the country club! Trish only hates the sport of golf because she's a golf widow and ends up doing everything around the house by herself.

See also: golf, widow

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

African golf ball

and African grape

n. a watermelon. (Alludes to an early stereotype of Americans of African descent being very fond of watermelon. Forced, contrived, and demeaning.) When he said we were having African grapes for dessert, I though he meant sherbet. Look at the size of that African golf ball!

See also: African, ball, golf

golf-clap

n. a quiet kind of “patting” applause like that made in golf tournaments. (One had quietly claps against the back of the other hand.) The audience sat there throughout. Not even a little golf clap. I think our act is washed up.

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.