The first week of July generally means the start of KZN’s real winter, and for those residing inland – there’s actually something worth getting cold over.
However, this doesn’t stop the coastal clan from donning fur boots, scarves and bomber jackets, despite temperatures reaching the high 20s. It’s winter.
Winter clothes will be worn.
But the first week of July also brings with it the Vodacom Durban July in all its glory.
And for those who haven’t been to the races, it’s worth getting a run down of the jargon ahead of the day, because there’s nothing worse than looking like an idiot while losing all your money.
Rather lose your money with a sense of pride and understanding.
Race day terminology that could trip you up
– Fascinator
Everyday talk – something that holds your attention, like a shiny ball or a drunk man trying to unlock his front door with a spoon.
Race day talk – a silly miniature hat that sits on your head askew.
– Odds
Everyday talk – people that believe climate change is a myth, vaccinations are part of a government conspiracy, or those that appreciate the music of Mariah Carey.
Race day talk – the chances of a horse to win a particular race based on the betting by the public.
– Exacta
Everyday talk – the specific place you recall putting your keys before discovering they have simply disappeared. As in ‘…don’t argue with me, that is exacta where I put
them!’
Race day talk – a bet in which the player attempts to pick the 1st and 2nd place horse on one ticket.
– Trifecta
Everyday talk – when you manage to score with all three siblings of an incredibly good-looking family.
Race day talk – a wager in which the player selects the first three horses in a race in order.
– Superfecta
Everyday talk – when you go a whole week without misplacing your keys.
Race day talk – a bet whereby you select the order of the first four finishers in a race.
– Scratch
Everyday talk – what you do behind the wall when you have guest over.
Race day talk – to withdraw a horse from a race.
– Bar
Everyday talk – a glorious place where dreams are made.
Race day talk – a glorious place where you can find the lowest odds for horses that have not been published in betting forecasts (aka where dreams are made).
– Banker
Everyday talk – a man or woman who is your backup date.
Race day talk – a horse that bettors are certain will win.
– Blinkers
Everyday talk – when you think your date is a lot hotter than s/he actually is. Something akin to ‘beer goggles’.
Race day talk – a piece of headwear applied to a horse as to limit its peripheral vision so as not to be distracted by the other runners beside it.
– Boxed In
Everyday talk – when you can’t get out of a relationship and have suddenly found yourself married with four children.
Race day talk – a term used when a horse is trapped in the running and has no place to go.
– Punter
Everyday talk – a really annoying person that is a mixture between someone you want to punch and a very bad word I can’t mention right now.
Race day talk – a person placing a bet.
– Swinger
Everyday talk – those weird old neighbours who keep inviting you around for ‘drinks’.
Race day talk – betting on two horses to finish in the top positions of a race in any order.
– 13th Race
Everyday talk – drunk naked men racing each other.
Race day talk – drunk naked men racing each other around a horse track.
HAVE YOUR SAY
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