The phrase "rank outsider" is often used to describe someone or something that is considered an unlikely or outside contender in a competition or situation. The spelling of "rank outsider" follows the traditional English spelling conventions, with the "r" in "rank" and the "ou" in "outsider" pronounced separately. In IPA phonetic transcription, it would be transcribed as /ræŋk ˈaʊtsaɪdər/. This phrase is often used in sports and racing contexts, where it is common for underdogs to be labeled as "rank outsiders."
A "rank outsider" is a commonly used idiom in the English language that refers to someone or something that is considered unlikely or improbable to succeed or win in a particular situation or competition. This term originated from the field of horse racing, where bookmakers assess the chances of each horse winning a race based on factors like its past performance, jockey, and the conditions of the track.
A "rank outsider" typically describes an individual, team, or object that is not expected to perform well or achieve a favorable outcome due to a significant difference in skill, experience, or popularity compared to its competitors. It implies a lack of expertise, reputation, or support, making success highly improbable.
The term "rank outsider" often conveys a sense of underestimation or neglect by others and is commonly used in conversations related to sports, elections, competitions, or any situation where an underdog faces tough competition. It suggests that the likelihood of the underdog prevailing is incredibly low and that the outcome is expected to be surprising or unexpected should they succeed.
In summary, a "rank outsider" refers to a person or thing that is considered highly unlikely to achieve success or victory in a particular context, being underestimated due to various factors such as lack of skill, experience, or support.
The expression "rank outsider" is often used in the context of sports or competitions to refer to a participant who is considered to have very little chance of winning.
The word "rank" in this context is derived from the Old English word "ranc" which means "strong" or "vigorous". Over time, "rank" took on the meaning of "utter" or "complete". In this phrase, "rank" is used to emphasize the extremity or absolute nature of the outsider's chances of winning.
The word "outsider" comes from the combination of "out" and "side". Originally, it simply referred to someone who was outside a particular group or place. In the context of competitions, an "outsider" is someone who is not expected to win due to their perceived lower skill level, experience, or past performance.