Shutout originated in the late 19th century in the United States.
It is a compound word derived from "shut out," meaning to exclude or prevent someone from entering.
Meaning
In sports, a shutout occurs when a team prevents their opponent from scoring any points throughout the entire game.
Figuratively, a shutout can also refer to any situation where someone is completely excluded, defeated, or ignored.
Origin
The exact origin of the term "shutout" in sports is unclear. However, it likely emerged around the 1880s when baseball became increasingly popular in the United States.
Early baseball games often resulted in high-scoring affairs, but as pitchers developed new techniques, it became more common for teams to hold their opponents scoreless.
The term "shutout" was used to describe these games where one team was completely dominant, preventing the other team from scoring a single run.
Over time, the term "shutout" was adopted by other sports, including ice hockey, basketball, and soccer, and is now used to refer to any situation where one team prevents the other from scoring.
