Hundred and Ten Percent

Which intellectually challenged moron introduced the expression, usually bandied in the world of football, “He’s given 110% effort”?

100% is maximum. No more. If a glass is 100% filled up, you can’t add anything more to it. If you can, then it wasn’t 100% filled in the first place.

Of course, the realms of mathematics, percentages can be larger than 100, just as you can have numbers less than zero and square roots of minus numbers and also sorts of other weird and wonderful stuff.

To compound this I’ve heard pundits saying that 200% effort was given! Where is going to stop? Imagine this interview in 20-30 years time:

Reading FC have just won the Champion’s League for a record 4th consecutive time.

Jimmy Bollox   Sky Sports Reporter:          “Well done, Dave, you have set a new record in the event by beating Valletta, the Maltese champions. How do you feel?

Dave Plunket  - RFC Manager:                    “I feel that it was a great result and well deserved. Throughout this season we have shown that we are the team to beat and the lads have put in a tremendous effort”

JB:          “What about Marco Spineli’s performance? Was it possibly one of his best this season?

DP:         “Absolutely. He put in 1,000% effort today and was well rewarded by his tremendous goal”

JB:          “Mind you, Valletta were a worthy opponents, they had their chances especially in the second half. What can you say about your defence?”

DP:         “They were magnificent. Each man gave 2,800% to the cause.”

JB:          “Do have any words about the fans?”

DP:         “What can I say? You can’t really ask for a better set of fans. They are all 3,476% behind their team, week in, week out”

JB:          “I suppose that you have proved a point to the RFC board after the events back in January”

DP:         “Listen Jimmy, despite whatever may have been reported in the press, the management, Chairman and Board have always given me 5,897% backing in my decisions.”

JB:          “Well done again, Dave, we’ll let you join your team for a well deserved celebration.”

Dave nods, smiles and exits...