WAGging for England

Barring the word metatarsal, the most prominent buzzword to arise so far from the media coverage of the World Cup has nothing to do with the actual game, players' injuries, or even the latest technological improvements to the football boot. It is, of course, WAGs or Wags, an acronym for Wives And Girlfriends (the term 'partner' seems to find little favour in the world of sport and would result in the less amusing WAPs).

The most high-profile WAGs, at least in the UK, are those of the England team: every WAGgish activity, whether it be shopping to the max, dressing to kill, partying until the wee small hours, or (gasp!) attending a match, has generated huge interest: certain sections of the media seem to find the WAGs' antics more entertaining and newsworthy than the Husbands and Boyfriends they are there to support.

You'll find that WAG is already in the Oxford Dictionary of English as the international vehicle registration for Gambia (West Africa Gambia). However, although the significant others of golfers (especially during the Ryder Cup) and cricketers have also come in for more modest media attention in the past, no-one seems to have used the acronym with this meaning until now.

There's no way you can keep an inventive journalistic mind down, though, and given that many players have also brought along their parents and other relatives, we're also picking up MADs (Mums And Dads) and would put money on seeing a few SAGs (Sisters And Grans) before the tournament ends. Some media wag has even coined Wagless to refer to those male fans who are currently sans female company:

For the Wags the World Cup is a never-ending round of sunbathing and spas, shopping, lobster and sushi, pink champagne and VIP travel to the odd football match. For the Wagless, it's...a daily diet of currywurst and lager, watching and talking about football with people from all over the world. www.timesonline.co.uk (24 June 2006)

With such delights as currywurst and amateur ball-by-ball analysis on offer, it's no wonder the WAGs at home and abroad are pursuing alternative forms of entertainment.

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