New English....?

[canamjhb]

I was watching the Olympics tonight and one of the commentators talked about competitors "throwing down a run". I know about "doing a run, having a run, making a run, being on the run". But have never heard "throwing down the run". Am I too old to watch the Olympics and know what they are talking about?

[Lew L]

Might be a snowboarding term.

American men are doing great in the boarding competition.

Lew L

[Saluda]

Seems as if our language is degrading daily.

[wyliec]

I was watching the Olympics tonight and one of the commentators talked about competitors "throwing down a run". I know about "doing a run, having a run, making a run, being on the run". But have never heard "throwing down the run". Am I too old to watch the Olympics and know what they are talking about?

The term throw (throwing) down is a slang term, and has been around for awhile, and means many different things. Your definition is one of the many.

[wyliec]

Seems as if our language is degrading daily.

Things/terms are degrading only if you want them to be. It's your choice. I've personally never used the term. I use the word(s) it is referring to.

[Bob Denman]

Ron is right: this phrase goes back at least 40 years to the first exposition of skateboarding.
I used to throw down a run; and the bowl would throw me right back out of it!
(Spent a lot of time in local emergency rooms... )

[PrairieSpyder]

I was watching the Olympics tonight and one of the commentators talked about competitors "throwing down a run". I know about "doing a run, having a run, making a run, being on the run". But have never heard "throwing down the run". Am I too old to watch the Olympics and know what they are talking about?

I know one time when I was skiing and ended up on a steep (for me) and icy connecting trail I felt like I was "thrown" down the run as I went down most of it on my right hip and in a jack-knife posture, my butt on the low-side and my hands and skis above me. It was the most fun I had that trip!

[Bob Denman]

I know one time when I was skiing and ended up on a steep (for me) and icy connecting trail I felt like I was "thrown" down the run as I went down most of it on my right hip and in a jack-knife posture, my butt on the low-side and my hands and skis above me. It was the most fun I had that trip!

Your explanation pretty well explains the difference between "throwing down a run", and the alternatives...

[Saluda]

Things/terms are degrading only if you want them to be. It's your choice. I've personally never used the term. I use the word(s) it is referring to.

General statement, not specific to that term. Degrading referring to lack of (less) quality.