reverseroot
/rɪˈvɜːsˌruːt/nounVerified NewRooting for one's own team to lose, usually to secure a better draft position.
Late-season games become inverse rituals: fans track the loss column, celebrate defeats, and boo wins. Reverserooting is rational under the incentive system and emotionally unspeakable, which is why fans do it quietly and deny it loudly.
Etym. — reverse + root: the verb of loyalty turned inside out while the loyalty claims to stay put.
Novelty check: NEW · checked 2026-11-08
review evidence: wordstoreview/review-batch-3-07-sport.md
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