bung

Now theres a word...

Bung

Sometimes a squishy rubber cork used to seal a test-tube, flask or barrel. A slang word for cheese in Australia. Slang in English for 'throw' or 'pass' as in "bung us the sauce!" meaning "would you kindly pass me the ketchup?".

And in its most recent form "bung" as "in secret unauthorised financial incentive" (aka "bribe") in soccer. Now the talk of "a bung" in soccer isn't a new expression, yet the football association doesnt think there are any records of proven cases. On this occasion (allegedly) even his Svenly self has passed comments about 'bungs' and there seem to be just 50 recent player signings worthy of further investigation.

And I suppose the related phrase "tapping up" (sounding out) also appeared by accident and has no proven useage. So a sentence like: "He tapped up the youth player to consider transfer in return for a bung" has no place in modern sporting idiom. Unless we believe what the BBC and several newspapers are reporting today.

Just look at the expression of incredulity on the face of this team manager who was mentioned in the recent Panorama investigation. What could this all mean? Surely not that any players have been enticed to play for English soccer teams against a backdrop of additional payments to other people? That wouldn't be very sporting, would it?