Doctor Dictionary

(Everyone else here subscribes to the dictionary.com Word of the Day, right? No? Shut up... you're a nerd.)

This one's been bugging me for a while--"physicality." It was especially prevalent during the NCAA Tournament, but I've heard it used a number of times since on NBA broadcasts, Baseball Tonight, etc. The latest offender: Bob Ley, one of ESPN's few legitimate journalists, used "physicality" during NBA highlights on Sportscenter (where he's unnecessarily put out of his element) a few minutes ago.

Commentators have used this word to conote ~ "a physical nature" or "physical style of play." What does Mr. Webster have to say about this?

phys·i·cal·i·ty
–noun, plural -ties.
1. the physical attributes of a person, esp. when overdeveloped or overemphasized.
2. preoccupation with one's body, physical needs, or appetites.

Sorry, fellas. Unless you mean to say that Tyson Chandler is staring at his reflection in the backboard while pulling down rebounds or craving someone's pralines in the stands as he runs up the floor, you're not even close.