To keep a clean sheet

Posted by Lewis on August 11, 2003

In Reply to: To keep a clean sheet posted by Weems on August 11, 2003

: Does anyone know the origin of this expression and how it became attached to sports?

: Thanks in advance :)

I think it comes from sports reporting in which the reporter uses a different piece of paper to record different events. If a team does not let in a goal, then there is a clean sheet of paper so far as the other team's "details of goals scored" is concerned.