Hitting icebergs is usually bad for you

In next week's NFL draft, the San Diego Chargers (a team whose blunders are of particular concern to this season ticket-holder) will compound their history of draft-day disasters by taking quarterback Eli Manning with the first pick. While the organization is still smarting from the last time a Manning was in the draft, he's not what they need. But at least, thanks to Mark Liberman, SC knows they'll be avoiding an even bigger disaster by not taking Ben Roethlisberger.

Prof. Liberman notes that Mr. Roethlisberger has coined a new phrase, "starting to hit the iceberg", as in this statement:

"Quarterbacks that have been playing the position their whole lives, they get to a certain point and can't get much better," he says. "I'm just starting to hit the iceberg. I think I still have a lot of developing that I can do. I still believe I can get a lot better."

Prof. L. parses it as follows:

"Starting to hit the iceberg" is what you might call a "rarely used cliché." It seems to be a blend of the expression "starting to hit [one's] stride" and the notion that most of the mass of an iceberg is hidden below the waterline.

SC agrees with the analysis. However, while Mr. Roethlisberger thinks it means that, like an iceberg, there's a lot we haven't seen out of him yet, your host is of the opinion that it means that he has just recently reached the point in his career after which he promptly sinks. Such open declaration of this sentiment from a draft pick is refreshing honesty; if only Ryan Leaf had coined it first.

Comments

[language hat]

I myself was surprised that Mark didn't mention the obvious interpretation. Perhaps he left it as an exercise for the reader.