language – Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary School Library

Danny Gallivan

Danny Gallivan was born on this day in 1917. He was the greatest hockey play-by-play broadcaster in history and a master of the English language. Danny Gallivan was the voice of the Canadiens through the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. Whether you were a fan of the Montreal Canadiens or not, for those over 40 you cannot help but smile when you hear clips from his calls featuring such greats as Guy Lafleur, Serge Savard and Yvon Cornoyer. Hockey fans who are under 40 should take any opportunity to take in some old audio or video clips featuring Danny and some of his classic “Gallivanisms.” The “Savardian Spin-o-rama,” “cannonading shots” and making saves in “rapier like fashion” are just a few. When Mr. Gallivan died in 1993 the hockey world lost one of the all time greats.

“It ain’t over ’til it’s over.”

Fans of baseball and the English language are celebrating the life of Yogi Berra, who passed away yesterday at the age of 90. Berra is in the Hall of Fame as one of the greatest players and managers of all time. He is also the source of:

“It ain’t over ’til it’s over.”
“It’s déjà vu all over again.”
“Baseball is ninety percent mental; the other half is physical.”
“Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.”
“You can observe a lot by watching.”
“Always go to other people’s funerals; otherwise they won’t go to yours.”
“I really didn’t say everything I said.”