Skating Slang

Terms:
 

Gorb (gore-b) Noun. A derogative term used to describe a skater wearing bicycle shorts with a chamois, while skating.  Such offenders are said to resemble the wearing of ‘a diaper’.
“Hey man, did you see the gorb in the pack last night?  It’s insane, this guy’s bulge!  How can you cross in those things?”
 

Yeti (yeh-tee) Noun. A derogative term used to describe a skater skating in denim jeans.  This includes jean shorts or “cut offs” as well as full length jeans, and of course “never-nudes”.  The most prolific offender is the speed skater who wears jeans while training.  Native to the Northeastern United States, Yetis have been spotted as far south as South Carolina, and are beginning to invade parts of Southern Ontario, Canada.
“Man, did you see the ‘ball-huggers’ on the yeti in the park?  Brutal!”
 

Sasquatch (sa-skwah-tch) Noun.  A derogative term used to describe a skater who, despite regularly wearing lycra shorts and even full skin suits, still refuses to shave his legs.
“Oh come on, you’re wearing a one piece!  Shave those things, sasquatch!”
 

Samsquanch (sam-skwäne-ch) Noun. Close cousin to the sasquatch, this derogative term is reserved to describe a particularly offensive ‘sasquatch’.  A samsquanch is likely to have never shaven his legs, and is likely to never ‘come to the blade’ despite being regularly encouraged to by his peers.
“I thought that dude was wearing pants!  What a samsquanch!”
 

Bandit (ban-dit) Verb, Noun.  “To Bandit” is to skate a race or event without paying or registering for it in advance. “A Bandit” is a skater in a race/event who has done this.  They can usually be spotted lacking a race number, timing ship, or event T-shirt.  The consequences to ‘banditting’ an event are numerous, for the event and bandit.  It is best to encourage your peers not to bandit, and not to be bandits, unless it is absolutely necessary.
“Did you sleep in your car last night?  Tell me you didn’t bandit the race dude!”
 

Gear head (gear-head) Noun. This is a person (not necessarily a skater) who is all about skating equipment.  Distant cousin to the ‘triathlete’, a gear head is known to frequent the ‘frame chart’ on the racereports.net forum, and put high value on the weight of skating equipment, the rolling resistance of bearings, and knows more about the latest equipment than you do.  Gear heads have been responsible for the rising popularity of wheels that simply aren’t even good (Star Grip), and frames that compromise structural integrity to come under the ***g mark, and to even drill holes in their frames in order to make them lighter.  It is safe to say that a gear head spends more time perusing the internet than training in an attempt to improve their skating.
“Did you hear him talking about bearing lube?  What a gear head.”
 

Gear face (gear-face) Verb, Noun. Often confused with the gear head, a gear face has very similar qualities, with the simple distinction that none of his/her opinions are first hand, or even their own.  In such case, a “gear face” is likely to have not actually tried any of the products (wheels, bearings, frames, boots etc.) that they claim to know everything about.  These people are known to go out of their way to tell you about their personal bearing cleaning, and wheel rotation techniques.
For a better understanding, a fine example of “gear facing” can be found here. Link: 
 

Train Head (train-head) Noun.  A term used to describe the most dedicated athletes to skating and training.  A “train head” generally puts training above all else in their lives.  These rarities are generally not overly concerned with skating technique, and if they claim to be, such concerns are left to “fly out the window” when actually skating.
“I think she put in 20k before practice.  She is such a train-head.”
 

Train Face (train-face) Noun.  Often confused with their very close cousin the ‘train head’, a “train face” is one who only claims to have the dedication of a train head, yet frequently skips practices or training sessions to watch TV, surf the internet, or eat chocolate bars. Train-heads are often well rested, and well versed in the most recent script of their favorite television show.
“There’s no way he can train that much AND go to that many movies.  He’s got to be a train face.”
 

Poseur (poh-zer) Noun.  (see train face)  Additional meaning: a poseur can be known to travel to distant events with little concern for their own performance, and great concern to ‘get noticed’ at whatever cost.
 

The following terms are more subtle in their nature, and are generally reserved for serious skaters and racers.  These terms are VERY specific in their use, and should only be used be skaters who actually know what they are talking about.
 

Pull (pull) Noun.  A term used to simply describe a skater’s turn leading at the front of a pack.  A “pull” is neither derogatory or complimentary.  It is simply used to describe the function of being at the front of the pack, and leading for an undefined period of time.  Adjectives such as ‘nice’, ‘strong’, or ‘good’ are commonly linked to ‘pull’ to provide feedback on the quality the ‘pull’.
“Nice pull PJ!”
Note: with any amount of sarcasm, the meaning of this expression can be completely inverted.
 

Tug (tuh-g) Noun.  A term used to describe a ‘pull’.  The term “tug” is derogatory in nature, but only subtly so.  The term is reserved for a pull with little concern for any associated consequences, or tactical implications.  A “tug” is typically inappropriately long (duration) or hard (speed/effort), and is known to compromise the offender’s race results and/or placement.  It is well timed to counter-attack on a skater’s ‘tug’ if one wishes to drop said skater. In doing so, one may wish to spar with:
“Nice tug, bitch.”
 Take (tayke) Noun. Another term used to describe a ‘pull’.  A “take” is entirely complimentary in its nature.  A “take” is an extremely well executed, timed, and effective pull.  A take is essentially perfect in its application and execution.  It is positive in its consequences, tactical implications, and is of appropriate (perfect) duration and speed.  The term is generally (but not always) reserved for pro and world class race conditions.  The context of a “take” can be in regard to chasing or maintaining an attack (break-away), or in the setup for a sprint or ‘lead out’ and is generally not used in ‘steady state’ race conditions.
“Nice take man.”