Word of the week: muppet

Right, here is a little thing I will do every week: explain a word that will frequently pop up in posts.

First cab off the rank? Muppet. I use that like an army private uses 'sir'.

It is a derogatory term implying the subject is false, a pretender, odd or just completely inept - just like the characters created by Jim Henson.

I first came across the term in the great movie Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.

If some sportsperson, coach or team cops that term, I have serious doubts about their ability to stand up to pressure in their chosen field.

Examples of muppets: West Ham Utd in the EPL this season, the Sydney Kings in the NBL, the NBA's Washington Wizards, Cronulla in the 2010 NRL and Australia's cricket selectors.