SportsAugust 22, 2026

paydirt

PAY-durt

Definition

The end zone of a football field, or the act of scoring a touchdown.

Etymology

Originating in the mid-19th century as American mining slang, the term referred to soil containing enough gold to be worth digging. It later became common sports jargon for reaching the end zone, likening a touchdown to a valuable discovery.

In the news

The word describes the moment a receiver reaches the end zone to score a touchdown after making an explosive reception. It highlights the successful conclusion of a scoring play.

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