4 ms·

Fail Slower: The Dangers of Punting Too Early

10 points by ibagrak 16y ago

RiderOfGiraffes 16y ago
Would someone care to explain what "punt" means in this context? It's a word that turns up reasonably often ... http://searchyc.com/punt http://searchyc.com/punt ... but I really don't have a clue what it means. Is it some kind of sporting metaphor? Thanks.
- ibagrak 16y ago
  It means to give up. To punt on something is to set it aside or to give up on it. At least that the definition I was going for. :)
  - ErrantX 16y ago
    In the UK to "have a punt" can mean to take a risk on something.
    - Grinnmarr 16y ago
      In the UK "punting" is an oft used slang term for frequenting prostitutes. A "punter" is akin to a "john" here in the states.
      - ErrantX 16y ago
        Erm. I wouldn't say we use it that way more than the version I pointed out. I think it is southern uk slang if my etymology serves me right. EDIT: also, we usually use punter (nowadays anyway) to refer to someone buying any service. Usually it is used in the context of smaller businesses (market stalls, sideshows, fairs etc.)
  - RiderOfGiraffes 16y ago
    Interesting. In Australian Rules Football, and to a lesser extent in Rubgy and Gaelic football, a "punt" is a kick which is most commonly used in an attacking manner. As a verb, "Punt" can also mean: + A kick of a football + A method of propelling a boat with a pole + To place a bet, usually at long odds, or a risky one As a noun it can be: + The former unit of money in Ireland + An open flat-bottomed boat (usually propelled with a pole) + The dent in the bottom of a wine bottle Your usage matches that I've seen here before, but is not one with which I'm familiar. I wonder if it's preculiarly and specifically North American. In particular, though, it's the exact opposite of other meanings in other parts of the world.
    - Mc_Big_G 16y ago
      + To place a bet, usually at long odds, or a risky one So that's what they mean on "Dragon's Den" when they say "It's a punt for me.". I guess I assumed something similar, but was never really sure.
    - deleted 16y ago
      [deleted]
- SMrF 16y ago
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punt_(football) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punt_(football) An American football team will punt when it fails to reach a first down. There are four downs to try to go ten yards, if you don't make it after three downs you usually punt. It's a strategic decision; if you fail to make ten yards after four downs the other team gets the ball where you left it. But if you punt, you can push the team further back, which means they have further to go to score a touchdown.
  - RiderOfGiraffes 16y ago
    Odd that it seems to have become synonymous with "Giving up" ...
    - btmorex 16y ago
      It's because you still have the one down left to try to get a first down, but instead you're giving up on the offensive drive by punting. Also, I wouldn't say that it's completely synonymous with "giving up". It's more like "giving up for now".
    - ghurlman 16y ago
      In the context I usually hear it (features vs. time) - you typically "punt" on something when you're no so much giving up, but putting it off for a later time or release. I've also seen it used to mean letting someone else deal with it.
    - SMrF 16y ago
      It's a strategic decision. If you punt you are signalling to the other team that you don't think you can get a first down in one more down. Example: It's fourth down, (your last chance), and you have eight yards to go, that means you went two yards in three downs. You can punt and push the opponent back further, or go for it and risk giving them the ball where you are now. Most of the time you would choose to punt. You give up.
    - amalcon 16y ago
      I usually interpret it to mean something more like "Cutting your losses".
RiderOfGiraffes 16y ago
Summarising: In the USA it means to postpone, give up on (possibly temporarily) or to make someone else's problem or responsibility. In other parts of the world it can mean to press on with, perhaps against the odds, or to take an aggressive/assertive course of action. Might I suggest that people should be aware when using the term that it might be taken to mean the opposite of what you think?
- ibagrak 16y ago
  Sorry for all the confusion, and thanks for setting the record straight.

10 points by ibagrak 16y ago

Would someone care to explain what "punt" means in this context? It's a word that turns up reasonably often ... http://searchyc.com/punt http://searchyc.com/punt ... but I really don't have a clue what it means. Is it some kind of sporting metaphor? Thanks.

ibagrak 16y ago
It means to give up. To punt on something is to set it aside or to give up on it. At least that the definition I was going for. :)
- ErrantX 16y ago
  In the UK to "have a punt" can mean to take a risk on something.
  - Grinnmarr 16y ago
    In the UK "punting" is an oft used slang term for frequenting prostitutes. A "punter" is akin to a "john" here in the states.
    - ErrantX 16y ago
      Erm. I wouldn't say we use it that way more than the version I pointed out. I think it is southern uk slang if my etymology serves me right. EDIT: also, we usually use punter (nowadays anyway) to refer to someone buying any service. Usually it is used in the context of smaller businesses (market stalls, sideshows, fairs etc.)
- RiderOfGiraffes 16y ago
  Interesting. In Australian Rules Football, and to a lesser extent in Rubgy and Gaelic football, a "punt" is a kick which is most commonly used in an attacking manner. As a verb, "Punt" can also mean: + A kick of a football + A method of propelling a boat with a pole + To place a bet, usually at long odds, or a risky one As a noun it can be: + The former unit of money in Ireland + An open flat-bottomed boat (usually propelled with a pole) + The dent in the bottom of a wine bottle Your usage matches that I've seen here before, but is not one with which I'm familiar. I wonder if it's preculiarly and specifically North American. In particular, though, it's the exact opposite of other meanings in other parts of the world.
  - Mc_Big_G 16y ago
    + To place a bet, usually at long odds, or a risky one So that's what they mean on "Dragon's Den" when they say "It's a punt for me.". I guess I assumed something similar, but was never really sure.
  - deleted 16y ago
    [deleted]
SMrF 16y ago
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punt_(football) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punt_(football) An American football team will punt when it fails to reach a first down. There are four downs to try to go ten yards, if you don't make it after three downs you usually punt. It's a strategic decision; if you fail to make ten yards after four downs the other team gets the ball where you left it. But if you punt, you can push the team further back, which means they have further to go to score a touchdown.
- RiderOfGiraffes 16y ago
  Odd that it seems to have become synonymous with "Giving up" ...
  - btmorex 16y ago
    It's because you still have the one down left to try to get a first down, but instead you're giving up on the offensive drive by punting. Also, I wouldn't say that it's completely synonymous with "giving up". It's more like "giving up for now".
  - ghurlman 16y ago
    In the context I usually hear it (features vs. time) - you typically "punt" on something when you're no so much giving up, but putting it off for a later time or release. I've also seen it used to mean letting someone else deal with it.
  - SMrF 16y ago
    It's a strategic decision. If you punt you are signalling to the other team that you don't think you can get a first down in one more down. Example: It's fourth down, (your last chance), and you have eight yards to go, that means you went two yards in three downs. You can punt and push the opponent back further, or go for it and risk giving them the ball where you are now. Most of the time you would choose to punt. You give up.
  - amalcon 16y ago
    I usually interpret it to mean something more like "Cutting your losses".

RiderOfGiraffes 16y ago

Summarising: In the USA it means to postpone, give up on (possibly temporarily) or to make someone else's problem or responsibility. In other parts of the world it can mean to press on with, perhaps against the odds, or to take an aggressive/assertive course of action. Might I suggest that people should be aware when using the term that it might be taken to mean the opposite of what you think?

ibagrak 16y ago
Sorry for all the confusion, and thanks for setting the record straight.