two-bagger
LowInformal, Slang
Definition
Meaning
In baseball, a hit that allows the batter to reach second base; a double.
Slang for an unattractive person, implying that one would need two bags to cover their head.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used in American English sports contexts; can be offensive when referring to a person's appearance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Almost exclusively used in American English due to baseball; in British English, it is rarely used and may not be understood.
Connotations
In American English, neutral in sports contexts, derogatory in personal appearance contexts. In British English, if used, likely borrowed from American media.
Frequency
High frequency in American baseball jargon; very low to non-existent in British English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
N/AVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used in business contexts.
Academic
Rarely used; may appear in sports studies or sociology of language.
Everyday
Used informally in American English, especially in sports or joking about appearance.
Technical
Used in baseball terminology and slang lexicons.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
American English
- He two-baggered the pitch, sending it to the outfield.
adjective
American English
- It was a two-bagger hit that changed the game.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He hit a two-bagger in the game.
- The player's two-bagger allowed the runner to score.
- In baseball slang, a two-bagger is equivalent to a double.
- The term 'two-bagger' can be derogatory when used to describe someone's appearance, originating from the idea of needing two bags to cover their head.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'two bags' in baseball: one for first base, one for second base, making it a double.
Conceptual Metaphor
The word uses the metaphor of 'bags' for baseball bases, extending to covering something with bags for unattractiveness.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Direct translation might refer to two bags, missing the baseball or slang meanings.
- Confusing it with other sports terms.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in formal contexts.
- Misapplying it to non-baseball sports in British English.
Practice
Quiz
What is a common synonym for 'two-bagger' in baseball?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is primarily an American English term from baseball.
Yes, when used to describe a person's appearance, it is considered derogatory and insulting.
It comes from baseball, where 'bag' is slang for base, so a two-bagger means a hit that gets the batter to second base.
In American English, it is pronounced /ˈtu ˌbæɡ.ɚ/, and in British English, /ˈtuː ˌbæɡ.ə/.