ProverbWisdomAmerican origin20th c.

There's no I in team

Meaning: Success requires subordinating individual ego to collective goals and shared responsibility.

Origin: An American sports saying used to discourage selfish play, resting on the fact that the word "team" contains no letter I. It is found in print from the 1960s, when baseball players such as the pitcher Vern Law were quoted using it.

Explore another collection: False Friends

Words that look familiar in another language but mean something else entirely.

  • Educado Actually means 'polite' or 'well-mannered'. For educated (schooled), say instruído.
  • Balcão Actually means 'counter' — in a shop, bar or bank. A balcony is uma varanda.
  • Injúria Actually means 'insult' or 'slander'. A physical injury is uma lesão or um ferimento.

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