DCHP-2

puck-ragging puck ragging DCHP-2 (May 2016)

• 1 n. & adj. — Hockey

  keeping possession of the puck as a defensive measure.

  Type: 4. Culturally Significant — As seen in Chart 1, the term is also a Canadianism in terms of frequency, as it is overwhelmingly used in hockey contexts in Canada, but not in the US.

  See also: hockey  puck  rag the puck  

• 2 n. & adj. — in figurative use

  intentional time-wasting or inactivity.

  Type: 3. Semantic Change — As the quotations show, this hockey term has expanded its semantic functions via metaphorical use. Given the importance of hockey in Canada, this is no surprise and is matched for other terms as well; see, e.g. game seven or hang up one's skates, which are also used in non-hockey contexts, among others.

  See also: game seven (meaning 2)  hang up one's skates (meaning 3)  rag the puck (meaning 2)