A sweeping, exaggerated and often ludicrous sports statement that a fan makes when under the influence of an emotional sports event (and perhaps various substances).
Joe Posnanski from SI.com made this one up.
Joe Posnanski from SI.com made this one up.
Fanbole (pronounced FAN-buh-lee) - If you see a shortstop make a diving stop and throw out a runner, you might say: "That's the greatest play I have ever seen." That would be a fanbole. It might be the greatest play you ever saw, but it probably isn't. In that moment, it feels that way.
If you see the Kansas City Chiefs give up against the Philadelphia Eagles like they did on Sunday, you might say: "This is the worst football team in the history of the NFL." That too would be a fanbole. The Chiefs are terrible, but they are probably not the worst team in NFL history. Probably not.
You call a player the worst ever, a coach a genius, a general manager an idiot -- these are probably fanboles.
If you see the Kansas City Chiefs give up against the Philadelphia Eagles like they did on Sunday, you might say: "This is the worst football team in the history of the NFL." That too would be a fanbole. The Chiefs are terrible, but they are probably not the worst team in NFL history. Probably not.
You call a player the worst ever, a coach a genius, a general manager an idiot -- these are probably fanboles.
by Jason from Minneapolis September 30, 2009