What does clippers stand for
Senior Writer I July 21, 2008 Comments Comment Bubble Icon
“What does baffled mean?” said the street vendor to the police in the movie Highlander as the latter discussed the recent spate of beheadings in New York City.
I just read an amusing piece from Jordan Vertone called “…The 10 Wimpiest Team Names In Sports.”
And it occurred to me as I pondered the point that perhaps there are other names needing examination. Not necessarily for their machismo or lack thereof, but from a “What were they thinking?” standpoint.
Thence the name “Clippers” came to mind.
Color me baffled.
What the Hell is a Los Angeles “Clipper”?
I pulled up the Wikipedia entry for the team. They have an interesting history, having been founded in Buffalo as the Braves in 1970. After a rough start, a couple of playoff appearances, a move that fell through, and subsequent struggles, the team relocated to San Diego in 1978 (can you say “Road Trip!”?) and was renamed, “Clippers”.
The most notable name to play for the team was Bill Walton, who was on the downside of his career. After continued poor performance (I’m sensing a pattern here) the team was sold again and moved up the 405 to Los Angeles in 1984, where they share the Staples Center with an NBA team you may have heard of—the Lakers.
So again, what the Hell is a Los Angeles “Clipper”? Let’s “cut” to the chase, and examine the possibilities for the choice of nickname. I used Dictionary.com as a source for specific definitions.
Is it something referring to a ship in the harbor?
Clipper : Nautical. Also called a clipper ship. A sailing ship built and rigged for speed, esp. a type of three-masted ship with a fast hull form and a lofty rig, built in the U.S. from c1845, and in Great Britain from a later date, until c1870, and used in trades in which speed was more important than cargo capacity.
I think the following from Wikipedia says it best: “The ships had low expected lifetimes and rarely outlasted two decades of use before they were broken up for salvage. Given their speed and maneuverability, clippers frequently mounted cannon or carronade and were often employed in piracy, privateering, smuggling, or interdiction service.”
I would suggest that the Clipper’s record indicates a lack of speed and maneuverability. And their occasional ability to steal a win leads me to believe that piracy is something still in the playbook.
But what if “Clipper” refers to strong winds coming in from the coast?
Being an amateur student of meteorology, I am familiar with the “Alberta Clipper” that brings frosty winds through the Great Plains and chills us here in the great state of Texas, but I believe the winds in Southern California are classified as “Santa Ana” or possibly just hot air from Hollywood-types acting out of place.
Could the name have something to do with a tool used for cutting hair?
Clipper : a person or thing that clips or cuts.
This might have possibilities, being there are barber shops, or hair salons—as they’re known to the fashionable in SoCal—everywhere. The electric clippers don’t seem like something I’d consider naming my team after. If your players are known for “Stylin’ and Profilin’”, ala Ric Flair, then this could be appropriate.
I suppose if there were a history of points-shaving, then we might have something here.
Perhaps the name is derived from the extensive use of hedge clippers in the region?
Clipper : Often, clippers. (used with a plural verb
) a cutting tool, esp. shears: hedge clippers.
I’ve spent weeks in Southern California, and made observations of how well-manicured landscaping abounds. There’s nary a hedge out of place, or limb to be shorn…hmmm.
If the team were in the tree pruning business, I would understand. But since they wouldn’t be in a position to win a game worthy of cutting down nets, I don’t think they’ll need anything sharp within reach.
Could the name be related to an electronic object?
Clipper : Electronics. A device that gives output only for an input above or below a certain critical value.
I would suggest the lack of scoring and winning ability for the team makes this an unlikely choice.
Then again the team does give output only for an input above or below a certain critical value. The opponent scores more or less, and this input determines the output of the Clippers. Isn’t this typical of under performing teams in sports?
By George I think we’ve got it!
My confusion allayed, I can now get back to life knowing that I have found the source for the somewhat odd nickname of Los Angeles’ other “professional” basketball team. The Clippers are named after an electronic device I’ve never heard of…What the Hell were they thinking?
Somebody please ‘splain that to me.
Asked by: Prof. Edison Murazik
The Los Angeles Clippers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles. The Clippers compete in the National Basketball Association as a member of the Pacific Division in the league’s Western Conference.
Why are they called the Clippers?
1978–1984: San Diego Clippers. . San Diego team officials did not think “Braves” was a proper representative nickname for the club in San Diego, and a local naming contest ultimately decided on “Clippers”, in reference to the city being known for the great sailing ships that passed through San Diego Bay.
What does Clipper mean in slang?
(slang) Confidence trickster; conman.
Where did the Clippers originate?
The franchise was originally based in Buffalo, New York, and was known as the Buffalo Braves upon joining the NBA in 1970 alongside fellow expansion teams Cleveland Cavaliers and Portland Trail Blazers.
How did the LA Lakers get their name?
The team moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1947, and its name was changed to the Lakers to reflect the Minnesota state nickname, “Land of 10,000 Lakes.” That same year the Lakers acquired George Mikan, who became professional basketball’s first dominant “big man” and the first in a series of great Laker centres.
Introduction to Clippers
15 related questions found
Why is Chicago called the Bulls?
According to the Chicago Bulls Encyclopedia, team owner Richard Klein was brainstorming nicknames for his new franchise in 1966 and wanted a name that portrayed Chicago’s status as the meat capital of the world. Another theory is that Klein admired the strength and toughness of bulls.
What is the oldest NBA team?
The Lakers have assembled the oldest team in the NBA, with an average age of nearly 31 years old, according to RealGM.
Do Lakers and Clippers use the same court?
The Lakers currently share the arena with both the Los Angeles Clippers and the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings. . The Lakers reportedly considered a similar move to build their own arena in the area, which is where they played before leaving the Forum.
What are the different types of clippers?
- Series positive clipper.
- Series positive clipper with bias.
- Series negative clipper.
- Series negative clipper with bias.
- Shunt positive clipper.
- Shunt positive clipper with bias.
- Shunt negative clipper.
- Shunt negative clipper with bias.
What is clipper circuit uses?
In electronics, a clipper is a circuit designed to prevent a signal from exceeding a predetermined reference voltage level. . A clipper circuit can remove certain portions of an arbitrary waveform near the positive or negative peaks or both. Clipping changes the shape of the waveform and alters its spectral components.
What is the point of a Clipper lighter?
Clipper Lighters appeal to “roll your own” smokers because of their unique removable flint system that assists with packing tobacco. They also manufacture a variety of accessories including the gas and lighter fluid to refill. Their gas is universal and has fewer impurities than other brands, making it a prime choice.
What does the Clippers mascot mean?
On Monday, the Los Angeles Clippers unveiled their new mascot: a giant, terrifying, anthropomorphised California condor. His name is Chuck. . Heck, the Clippers were named after the clipper ships that sailed along the San Diego Bay, where the team was located from 1978 until 1984.
How much is the cheapest NBA team?
Least valuable NBA teams in 2021
The least valuable team in the NBA? That title belongs to the Memphis Grizzlies. Forbes has their current value at $1.3 billion, the same as a year ago. The New Orleans Pelicans are right above the Grizzlies on the list at $1.35 billion.
Who is the best basketball player right now?
- 01 Kevin Durant. 1 / 20. .
- 02 Giannis Antetokounmpo. 2 / 20. .
- 03 LeBron James. USA Today Sports Images. .
- 04 Stephen Curry. 4 / 20. .
- 05 James Harden. 5 / 20. .
- 06 Kawhi Leonard. 6 / 20. .
- 07 Nikola Jokic. 7 / 20. .
- 08 Joel Embiid. 8 / 20.
Who was the first NBA player to dunk?
A brief history of the dunk
Kurland may be credited with basketball’s first dunk, but the first one made in an organized basketball game belongs to the NBA’s Joe Fortenberry. While training for the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, he dunked the ball into the net like someone “dunking their roll into a cup of coffee.”
What is the maximum age to play in the NBA?
Ultimately, the union reluctantly agreed to an age limit of 19, accepting it in exchange for tweaks to salary cap rules that were favorable to the players’ interests.
Who won the very first NBA game?
On November 1, 1946, the first NBA (at the time called the BAA) basketball game took place in Toronto, Canada. The game was between The New York Knicks and the Toronto Huskies at Maple Leaf Gardens and drew in over 7000 spectators, most who knew very little about basketball; The Knicks won 68-66.
What were the Chicago Bulls called before?
On January 16, 1966, Chicago was granted an NBA franchise to be called the Bulls. The Chicago Bulls became the third NBA franchise in the city, after the Chicago Stags (1946–1950) and the Chicago Packers/Zephyrs (1961–1963, now the Washington Wizards).
How much does it cost to buy the Chicago Bulls?
Forbes values Bulls franchise at $3.2 billion, fourth-highest in NBA. The average NBA franchise is now valued at just over $2.1 billion, with Forbes saying the New York Knicks — worth $4.6 billion by the magazine’s calculations — ranking atop the league list.
Who beat the Bulls in their 72 10 season?
The front page of the Chicago Tribune Sports section on April 22, 1996, a day after the Chicago Bulls capped a 72-10 regular season with a victory over the Washington Bullets in Landover, Md. The Bulls went on to win the NBA title for their fourth championship in six seasons.
Where and how did the “Clippers” team name originate?
Where and how did the “Clippers” team name originate?
Author: WutupLA
Posted: 04/07 10:41 AM
I am really curious to know why they named their team the Clippers and on another note what their original idea of a mascot was.
I remember playing this old nba basketball game on Nintendo and whenever the clippers mascot would come out. it was literally. A toenail clipper. They can’t be serious, right?
Author: sodapoppenski
Posted: 04/07 10:55 AM
Clippers as in sailboats.
Did they used to play in San Diego if I’m remembering right? Some
older wiser LGer would know better than me, but I could swear I’ve heard
that before.
Either way it’s sailboats that their name comes from.
Author: DicksHutnick
Posted: 04/07 11:01 AM
Did they used to play in San Diego if I’m remembering right? Some
older wiser LGer would know better than me, but I could swear I’ve heard
that before.
Known as the Buffalo Braves (NY) from about 1970-1977. Moved to San Diego, named themselves after the sailboats and played in the San Diego Sports Arena until ’84, when they moved to the LA Sports Arena and kept their name. Have been a nuisance ever since, and currently getting to be a bigger nuisance. It’s okay — Donald T. never lets us down.
Author: WutupLA
Posted: 04/08 5:27 AM
haha..well..i guess that explains it
Author: Sister Golden Hair
Posted: 04/08 5:31 AM
Sterling suffers from ingrown toenails.
Author: drew4lakers
Posted: 04/08 5:31 AM
A clipper was a very fast multiple-masted sailing ship of the 19th century . Generally narrow for their length, limited in their bulk freight carrying capacities, and small by later 19th century standards, the clippers had a large relative sail area. “Clipper ships” were mostly products of British and American shipyards, though France, the Netherlands (the Dutch-built “Telanak”, built in 1859 for the tea and passenger trade to Java) and other nations also produced a number of them. Clippers sailed all over the world, primarily on the trade routes between Britain and its colonies in the east, in the trans-Atlantic trade, and in the New York-to-San Francisco route round The Horn during the Gold Rush .
Might have fit better for an SF team, but with san Diego and its port they must have thought it fit better than Braves.
Author: P.K.
Posted: 04/08 5:35 AM
Named after the China Clippers, a famous trading sailing ship that used to sail out of California in the mid-late 1800’s.
A lot of trade was conducted on the SanFran/LA/San Diego to China route – it did a lot to bring in money & people to California in that era.
On the east coast, these boats were called Yankee Clippers. They were some of the fastest sailing trading ships ever built.
On a side note, one of the big money makers for the clipper ships was running opium from China to California.
Author: NOODLESTYLE
Posted: 04/08 5:40 AM
The Clippers should change their name. Any ideas?
Author: DaggerInTheHeart
Posted: 04/08 5:41 AM
ROFL
Author: ClipperLakerFan
Posted: 04/08 5:41 AM
Both LA teams have something to do with Water..But i think the corniest name in the league is BOBCATS. hahaa.
Author: drew4lakers
Posted: 04/08 5:54 AM
| NOODLESTYLE wrote: |
| The Clippers should change their name. Any ideas? |
Modernize the team’s name 19th century to 20th century.
From Clippers to Tankers.
Author: Hawkins
Posted: 04/08 6:07 AM
| drew4lakers wrote: | ||||||||||||||
Modernize the team’s name 19th century to 20th century. Author: Muad’Dib
The “Red-Headed Step-Children” has a nice ring to it. Author: tony smith
|
