During Game 3 of the NBA Finals, ESPN basketball broadcaster Mark Jackson reminded us that the English language is even harder than slamming dunks or shooting threes. While describing an impressive LeBron James drive to the basket, Jackson said that James was a “freight train with a full steam of head.”
Mark Jackson has been saying ‘full steam of head,’ but we’re here to help
Who knew he was such a word mixologist?
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Wut.
To be clear, the phrase here is either “full steam ahead” or “full head of steam,” but definitely not this Frankenstein’s monster of an idiom. And while I don’t purport to be an expert on the English language (see above spelling of “what”), it’s pretty bad. Plus, this isn’t even the first time he’s done it.
So, Mark, if you’re reading this, it’s not too late. This is just a gentle reminder that the phrase is, in fact, “full steam ahead.” Or even “full head of steam,” whichever you prefer.
But if you keep saying “full steam of head,” people might think you have a head full of steam.
