Cliche of the Week: Stonewall penalty

THERE is no such thing as a definite penalty in football. If a commentator reckons a decision is in no doubt, the award is described regularly as a 'stonewaller'.

In the dictionary, there is no mention of this use, Chambers listing stonewall as a verb with the definition 'to hold up progress, (in parliament) by obstructing discussion, (in cricket) by playing extremely defensively'. In football parlance, it seems to mean 'solid'.

But what sort of robust wall wouldn't be made of stone? A rubber one? Maybe papier mache?