leadoff
Meaning
An action or remark that serves to begin something.
In baseball, the first batter in the lineup or the first at-bat of a game or inning.
Serving to begin something; first.
Structure
Usage
The comedian's leadoff joke set a lighthearted tone for the evening.
The manager decided to change the team's leadoff hitter to improve their chances of scoring early.
Her leadoff question in the interview was surprisingly direct.
Etymology
The compound "leadoff" is a transparent combination of the verb "lead" and the particle "off," following a common Germanic pattern for creating phrasal nouns. The term literally means "to lead off from a starting point," capturing the initiating action. Its specific application in baseball, dating to the late 19th century, perfectly illustrates this core concept of being the first to bat, leading off the inning. The word's logic is straightforward: the one who 'leads' the action 'off' (begins it) assumes the role of the initiator, whether in a conversation or a game.
Analysis
- lead: From Old English 'lǣdan' (to guide, bring, carry). Functional role: Verbal root meaning to guide or go first. - off: From Old English 'of' (away, from, off). Functional role: Adverbial particle indicating a starting point or separation.