two minute man
n.— «The field race in a pure time trial format with the lowest ranked athletes going first up to the highest ranked who goes last. Athletes go at two minute intervals (this possibly needs to be tweaked a bit based on some better statistics but it’s a pretty good starting point.) They swim, transition, bike, transition and run against the clock. The fastest overall wins. And, just to add a little extra frisson of excitement, if an athlete gets caught by their pursuer—your “two minute man” in cycling parlance—then it’s game over.» —“Thoughts on how triathlon should be run at the Games” by Henry Budgett Tri247 Aug. 21, 2008. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Unwrap the name of a candy bar, and you just might find a story inside. For instance, one chewy treat found in many a checkout lane is named after a family’s beloved horse. And: 50 years ago in the United States, some Latino elementary...
Funny cat videos and cute online photos inspire equally adorable slang terms we use to talk about them. • Also, when a salamander is not a salamander, the story of an Italian term for a dish towel used halfway across the world, Bozo buttons...