Comments on: Ears pinned back

By: John Murray

John Murray — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 00:42:39 +0000

All the answers given at the beginning of this blog are OK. But, some are a little out of place. One must always consider the context. It’s an old saying and not always applicabe in today’s lexicon. I can see the it as an exhibit of energy and determination but mostly in rural areas as applicable to animals. I see it in my dog who looks at me after being scolded with his ears pinned back. I can remember my father telling me he would pin my ears back as if to put the fear of God into me. For TV commentators in the NFL and other seettings, I find it’s use a bit forced or awkward.

By: Mr Shush

Mr Shush — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 01:40:26 +0000

I would add that in the NFL context the idea is not simply that defensive linemen are aggressive in rushing the passer; it’s that they can now focus exclusively on rushing the passer because the run has been taken out of the equation (possibly because their team has a big lead, or it’s 3rd and long).

I think this usage originates from horse-racing, where it is closer to being literal – horses are said to “pin their ears back” when they move them in a certain way, which ordinarily would be a sign of anger but is also typical of extreme effort in the closing stages of a race.

By: James

James — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 08:44:10 +0000

There are 2 very different meanings to the phrase in sports, as others have noted here. It is often used to describe defensive linemen aggressively rushing the passer. “Our boys really need to pin their ears back and get after the quarterback this week.”

I am certain that this now-popular use of the phrase originated as an error from some football announcer who didn’t understand the original phrase. But everyone likes the way it sounds, so the new usage is here to stay.

By: Gord M

Gord M — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 21:24:01 +0000

I don’t know why there’s any debate on this subject. To pin one’s ears back means you overwhelm them. This expression hasn’t changed meaning in more than 100 years. Coaches have always said, “get out there and pin their ears back!”

By: James VB

James VB — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 01:41:44 +0000

Term comes from a dog fighting. When a dog goes to attack it pins it’s ears back. Means to get real and get ready to battle and fight.

By: JUGGS

JUGGS — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 17:30:56 +0000

My head-brain hurts now.

By: Harriett Lambe

Harriett Lambe — Thu, 24 May 2012 19:49:00 +0000

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By: nancy

nancy — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 12:04:36 +0000

I’ve sometimes wondered if the fact that the outer visible portion of the ear is anatomically the auricle, or pinna, might have anything to do with it. Somehow pinna / pinning got garbled, y’think?

By: cindy

cindy — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:58:44 +0000

My granny (who was of Scotch-Irish descent)used to say of my reluctance to do an unpleasant task, “Just back your ears ‘n’ do it,” meaning as the above mentioned sheepdog…get tenacious, get stubborn, get aggressive, and get the job done. This is different from “getting your ears pinned, which means “Open up your ears and listen!” Perhaps y’all are confusing the two sayings.

By: Watching U

Watching U — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 02:24:10 +0000

The term is commonly misused by sportscasters in the United States, as in, “Lackluster play by the offensive line will allow the opposing linebackers to pin their ears back and come after the quarterback.”

As described above, having your ears pinned back means someone got the better of you. When sportscasters use the term as in the quote above, they are saying the opposite of what they mean. I cringe everytime I hear it or read it, which is often.

What they should instead say is “…lay their ears back,” as in what wolves and other animals do when they assume an aggressive posture just prior to going on the attack.

The concept of pinning one’s ears back is so misused in the U.S. that I’m amazed at how it seems no one in the sports journalism profession can figure out how stupid they’re making themselves sound.

By: Bad Wolf

Bad Wolf — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:00:01 +0000

Just because NFL sports casters use a phrase doesn’t mean they are using it correctly.

However, that being said, it is often the case that a phrase changes meaning over time, or has multiple meanings depending on context.

“Dude” for example is commonly used today to refer to a friend or buddy, but originally it was an insult.

In reference to the original post, I remember an old Bugs Bunny cartoon where he threatened someone by saying “I’ll pin your ears back” lol

It seems there is a difference in meaning depending on who is doing the pinning. If you get your ears pinned back by someone else, that’s a bad thing. But to pin your own ears back is good.

By: David Prince

David Prince — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 07:09:05 +0000

In Australia, at least in my area, ‘to pin your ears back’ means to have a big night or to put in a great effort in something. In my opinion it is like horse racing where they put their ears back in effort.