Jeopardy! opened with a bang on Jan. 1 with a viral clip that might be one of the worst cases of bad refereeing we’ve seen in the game.
Did this ‘Jeopardy!’ contestant get robbed by bad refs?
Make sure your pronunciation game is on point.
James Dator has been covering a wide range of sports for SB Nation for over a decade, with a special focus on the NFL.
Nick lost $3,200 when judges revisited his answer of “Gangster’s Paradise Lost,” and ruled it as incorrect because he didn’t say “Gangsta’s.” At the time, it pushed the player to second place. Even though Nick would go on to win the night, it still cost him a big chunk of change over an inflection. Was this a case of bad refereeing, or fair game?
The decision prompted enough discussion that Jeopardy! judges explained their decision.
“Although Nick’s response of “Gangster’s Paradise Lost” was initially accepted, the hard R sound caught the ear of one member of the onstage team, who immediately followed up with a quick check.
It turns out that “gangsta” and “gangster” are both listed separately in the Oxford English Dictionary, each with its own unique definition.
Nick changed not only the song’s title, but also its meaning – making his response unacceptable.”
The explanation is fair, and indeed there are two different entries in the Oxford dictionary. “Gangster” is listed as a noun to mean a gang member, while “gangsta” is an informal entry with the same meaning.
Let this be a lesson if you’re on Jeopardy! any time soon: Best have your pronunciation game on point.
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