Martyisms

Anyone that has been to one of our dart league nights knows Marty. He’s usually not hard to find – just follow the almost continuous laughter. He’ll also do a little dance as he walks up to the board for his turn. Love him or hate him, he is the epitome of “Relax, Have Fun, Play Darts” on a Tuesday night down at the Jamesburg Elks Lodge.

Marty also has a description for how the darts are scored. He is always consistent with them and I finally, after 2 years, I got him to write them down for me. At the end, I will also include a few other descriptions that I have heard used.

Here is what Marty sent to me:

During the late seventies, a dart league was started in the Avenel American Legion. At its zenith, there were sixteen teams all playing in the same 30’x 40’ room. This was before smoking bans and crack downs on DUI. I joined the league in 1986 after two years on a waiting list. The league died in 1996 because of attrition and apathy. The following is a list of how we called darts as thrown to help see through the pall that was always present.

One – A single dart in was called: a) stinky pinky: b) spin the wheel: c) save a DIME

Two – A single dart in the red was call a deuce in the house, except it it’s the last dart then its called a safety. Two single darts is a deuce no house.

Three – A single dart in was called a cheetah if it was the first dart thrown, a dart with no name if it was the second dart thrown and a Dempsey or Elam for the third. Three single darts was called an elusive Cran, named after the biggest drug dealer in the league.

Four – If all darts scored (2 singles, one double), it was called a Chalupa. Two darts in the red were called a double deuce batusie – this is from Adam West’s Batman. If one dart was in the trip and another in the single it was called a team dart.

Five – Is called a monkey. If the next frame was also a five, that is an ape. If the next frame was another five, that was a Mighty Joe Young and another five would be a King Kong.

Six – All darts in the red is called a bucket of blood. Two triples were called a Fonzie and one of each dart (single, double, triple) was called a son of a beach.

Seven – Is called a Kramer giddie-up or now it’s called a Bond, Ed Bond, license to kill.

Eight – Is called a double krusty burger with cheese.

Nine – Is called a Godzilla and one must sing the lyrics of the Blue Oyster Cult song of the same name and “burning down Tokyo” is a must.

So, there you have it on a written record – a blast from the past Dart history.

Let me now add a few other terms/descriptions that have been used:

Any single dart is referred to as a “Hightstown” or a crow. And, according to Marty (he forgot to add it) anytime that you spin both of the wheels when scoring, you must proclaim in a distinct voice “double wheel spin”.

Four – Two darts in the red is called a Desmond Too Too.

Five – Is often referred to as a handful. (I think that Marty’s deal is more fun, but after a few drinks, who can keep track…)

Six – In any combination can simply be called a thumbs up.

Seven – Is a smoking gun and is shown by making a gun with the thumb and forefinger.

Eight – Has been called monkey balls and is shown by stacking one fist on top of the other then reversing the stack.

Nine – Is a Niner. The Pennsylvania guys call it a gizmo.