Under Par

[patchie]

The term "under par" is, as I understand, what you aim for in a game of golf, why then is it unacceptable in any other situation to be "under par"?

[Hippy]

Par is from the Latin meaning "equal". In golf it is used to indicate the number of whacks a good player should be able to get from tee to hole.

Below (or above) par means below or above the expected level. However, note that the golf use of the word is reversed, in that below par (less that the expert number of whacks) is good, where in other uses it is bad. Under par means not up to the equal, less than migh be expected, not as good as the "normal".

 

[pamnez]

I have heard this phrase used when people are feeling under the weather.