Do all sports fans know the meaning of the word amphibious?

[taterguy]

I'm watching the basketball tourney, an announcer just complimented a player for being able to use his left and right hands equally well and used the word amphibious.

I know that some language snobs think the proper word is ambidextrous but I've used amphibious ever since an NC State player said that back in the min-80s. I was just wondering if this new usage was universal or if millions of people watching the game thought: What the fuck did the announcer just say?

[ghostsofgiants]

1. Hahaha, amphibious?!

Amphibious refers to something that is capable of operating on land and in the water.

It doesn't even make sense in place of ambidextrous.

[Reverend_Smitty]

2. I heard him say that too...

I was only half listening so I didn't hear the context that he made that comment in, the word amphibious did jump out at me because I didn't know what a frog or similar creature had to do with basketball

[taterguy]

3. It's from Jim Valvano's book They Gave Me a Lifetime Contract . . .

And Then Declared Me Dead

It's one of my favorite sports quotes and I didn't know how many others were familiar with it. Thanks for confirming the fact that I wasn't just hearing things while watching the game.

[ElboRuum]

4. Not a language snob...

But the word is ambidextrous. Just because something is wrong and everyone latches on to it doesn't make it any less wrong.

[taterguy]

5. If that's wrong then I don't want to be wright

We all have different values. I'll tell you what I think is wrong: posting a message like that during the closing seconds of one of the most thrilling college basketball games ever. You were supposed to be glued to the tube gnawing your fingernails to the bone because the fate of the world hinged on an 18 year old's ability to throw a ball through a hoop. Any other response is just unnatural and weird.