The Rice University Neologisms Database

Time period an individual appears to be above the floor when jumping during a basketball game. ("Clyde Drexler was known to have a long hangtime; he could jump and block shots of the tallest player.") Apparent Meaning: Net time period during which an individual is in the air when jumping while playing basketball. The verb root HANG is used as a metaphor. HANG generally refers to suspending a solid object in the air by fastening it from above to another object. In basketball, however, the player is not fastened to a higher object. Rather, the player’s athletic strength and muscular ability propels the player into the air. Because the player is in the air for so long, it appears to a spectator as if the player is hanging stationary from something above, when in fact the player has simply elevated his body temporarily and is in constant motion. The root HANG is compounded with the noun root TIME to refer to the interval of time that the player appeared to be suspended in air. Possible Reason Used: The literal meaning of HANG involves suspending of a solid object by fastening from above. This cannot occur in a game of basketball, but the metaphor relating the player’s jumping ability to the act of hanging provides an exaggeration of a player’s athletic ability. Thus, the term HANGTIME is frequently used as a complement. One who demonstrates a prolonged HANGTIME is the same as “one who can jump very high.” The term HANGTIME is simply basketball jargon that highlights one of the most important aspects of basketball, jumping.