Jeopardy judging

[cmjb13]

Caught a clue on Jeopardy yesterday where the answer was "What is a backstabber?".

Would they have accepted "Stabbing one in the back" or "One who stabs another in the back"

[Dbacksfan12]

Caught a clue on Jeopardy yesterday where the answer was "What is a backstabber?".

I think it would help to know the context of the clue, or the category.  If the category was something like "11 letter words", then I would think the answer would be obvious.

[Matt Ottinger]

In the DJ category NOT OF GOOD CHARACTER for $800: "One who speaks ill of you when you're not around, or who implants a dagger in your dorsal region"

Nothing specifically says that they're looking for a one-word response, so my guess is that a phrase that includes 'stabs you in the back' would be OK, though why you would come up with an awkward phrase instead of the one-word term is beyond me.  Still, we're not the judges and this is definitely a judgment call, so you're not going to get a definitive answer here.

[Jay Temple]

In the DJ category NOT OF GOOD CHARACTER for $800: "One who speaks ill of you when you're not around, or who implants a dagger in your dorsal region"

Nothing specifically says that they're looking for a one-word response, so my guess is that a phrase that includes 'stabs you in the back' would be OK, though why you would come up with an awkward phrase instead of the one-word term is beyond me.  Still, we're not the judges and this is definitely a judgment call, so you're not going to get a definitive answer here.

I would unhesitatingly rule against, because the clue clearly states, "one who ...," thus indicating a person rather than a verb. However, J! has been guilty of writing clues that don't fit the expected response very well for some time.

[clemon79]

I would unhesitatingly rule against, because the clue clearly states, "one who ...," thus indicating a person rather than a verb.

Which "One who stabs another in the back" absolutely is.

Although, like Matt said, why anyone bright and socially clueful enough to pass the Jeopardy! entrance exams would say that instead of "backstabber" is an utter mystery.

[Matt Ottinger]

Although, like Matt said, why anyone bright and socially clueful enough to pass the Jeopardy! entrance exams would say that instead of "backstabber" is an utter mystery.

As it turns out, not just the entrance exam.  This was ToC material.

[Kevin Prather]

My verdict:

"What is a backstabber?" Yes.
"What is that guy who stabbed you in the back?" Sure.
"What is stabbing you in the back?" No.