where did "shred" come from?

BuckRuckus · Post by **BuckRuckus** » 29 Mar 2006 13:23

Does anyone know the origin of the word "shred"? I always figured shred was a generic term applied to any "extreme" sport. But after reading The Tale of the BAP at

http://www.bigaddposse.com/history/taleofthebap/

I thought maybe there could be a reason why we call it what we do. I like to imagine the term came from when the early pioneers deviated from the song and dance style and began chewing up (or shredding) the grass under them as they busted freestyle dexterities...

Does anyone know the real answer?

junkyardjew · Post by **junkyardjew** » 29 Mar 2006 14:10

Everyone calls what they do "shred". I used to shred when I skied, when I snowboarded, when I play guitar. Everyone calls it shredding.

BuckRuckus · Post by **BuckRuckus** » 29 Mar 2006 15:01

I thought you "carved" the slopes when you snowboard, and "wailed" on your guitar.

Iron Clad Ben · Post by **Iron Clad Ben** » 29 Mar 2006 17:21

I always thought shredding was only snowboarding until I came here. Then I learned it's used for footbag and guitar too. In snowboarding you shred powder. In footbag I guess you shred the air? I shred paper at work and food in the kitchen sometimes, although not nearly as fun.

RawSko · Post by **RawSko** » 29 Mar 2006 18:33

I'm pretty sure that "shred" is a slang term for Freestyle. Jared's right, it's definately not native to Footbag...

Guest_2 · Post by **Guest_2** » 29 Mar 2006 19:30

It makes sense that it would tie into another synonym for freestyle

Also, beware the blades...shredding air...other people's legs...[shrug]

beenjammin · Post by **beenjammin** » 31 Mar 2006 07:02

When you watch some of the really good players shuffle their legs move so fast its almost hard the bag is still in one piece and not shredded into pieces

Anz · Post by **Anz** » 31 Mar 2006 08:27

Didn't Rick Reese got his nickname from ripping lawn? Maybe that's where the shredding comes from... Just a wild guess.

Slowsis · Post by **Slowsis** » 31 Mar 2006 08:41

Skateboarding is called shredding too, but that comes from the sound of the wheels on pavement when you are going fast.

Wasabi · Post by **Wasabi** » 31 Mar 2006 10:59

A little off-topic, but does anyone know where I can get a box of "Shreddies"?

Slowsis · Post by **Slowsis** » 31 Mar 2006 11:53

Walmart

Muffinman · Post by **Muffinman** » 31 Mar 2006 12:07

TheVindicator wrote:It makes sense that it would tie into another synonym for freestyle

Also, beware the blades...shredding air...other people's legs...[shrug]

I've heard the term used for other sports too, but I've always explained it this way.

BuckRuckus · Post by **BuckRuckus** » 31 Mar 2006 12:18

If that's how Rippin' Rick Reese got his name- that's cool!

Waaaay back in the day my highschool lawn had about 3-4 dirt "crop circles" from where all the hackers would play. There was about 30 of us, all chewing the crap out of the grass every lunch hour and after school. It makes me sad to drive by now and see that all the grass has grown back. Kids these days....

I guess I asked because the term 'shred' never sat well with me. I think it's cheesy and way too 'extreme'. Er, excuse me, I meant to say: 'EXTREME!!!' If I thought there was a cool origin and history to the word as it applies to footbag, I'd feel a bit better about saying it so much.

If there is no origin to the word, or if the true answer has been long forgotten, I say we make up a wicked back-story, spread the word, and soon enough it will become true enough.

Noora · Post by **Noora** » 31 Mar 2006 13:32

I am death. I'll shred your soul to ribbons!

Props if you know where this sentence is from.

Xain · Post by **Xain** » 31 Mar 2006 21:44

BuckRuckus wrote: I think it's cheesy and way too 'extreme'. Er, excuse me, I meant to say: 'EXTREME!!!'

X-TREME is more like it