salchow
Very LowTechnical / Figure Skating
Definition
Meaning
A figure skating jump with a takeoff from the backward inside edge of one skate and a landing on the backward outside edge of the opposite skate after one or more rotations in the air.
In skating contexts, it specifically refers to a named jump element with defined technical requirements. Outside of skating, the word has no common extended meaning.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is an eponym named after its inventor, Swedish skater Ulrich Salchow (1877–1949). It is primarily a countable noun (e.g., 'a double salchow'). It exists almost exclusively within the lexicon of figure skating.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The spelling is identical.
Connotations
None beyond the technical sporting context.
Frequency
Frequency is identical and confined to discussions of figure skating.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] + a/the + salchow (land, attempt, perform, miss)[adjective] + salchow (double, triple, clean, flawed)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Potentially used in sports science or kinesiology papers analyzing skating techniques.
Everyday
Extremely rare outside of conversations about winter sports or watching the Olympics.
Technical
The primary domain. Used in skating commentary, judging protocols, coaching, and training.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She will attempt to salchow in her free programme.
- He salchowed perfectly in the warm-up.
American English
- She plans to salchow in her long program.
- He salchowed with incredible height.
adjective
British English
- The salchow entry was slightly wobbly.
- Her salchow technique is textbook.
American English
- The salchow entry edge was deep.
- His salchow preparation is consistent.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The skater did a jump. It was a salchow.
- The young skater is learning to do a single salchow.
- Her programme included a difficult triple salchow combination, which she landed cleanly.
- The judges scrutinized the take-off edge of her quadruple salchow for any sign of a lip, which would downgrade it to a flip.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SALmon making a graceful CHOW (jump) out of the water, spinning before landing. The 'Sal' reminds you of Salchow.
Conceptual Metaphor
Not applicable; the term is a technical label without common metaphorical extensions.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'сальто' (somersault). The salchow is a specific skating jump, not a generic term for a jump or flip.
- The spelling/pronunciation is directly borrowed, so transliteration is not typical.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling: 'salkow', 'salchowe'.
- Mispronunciation with /ʃ/ as in 'show' instead of /k/.
Practice
Quiz
What is a defining characteristic of a salchow jump?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A single salchow has one full rotation (360 degrees) in the air.
Among the six standard figure skating jumps, the single salchow is often one of the first learned. However, triple and quadruple versions are extremely difficult and are marks of elite skating.
It was invented by and named after Ulrich Salchow of Sweden, the 1908 Olympic gold medalist.
Yes, informally within skating circles (e.g., 'She salchowed'). However, it is primarily and formally used as a noun.