Emma Jonson Why is spinning the ball called English?
When a cue ball is struck on either side of its vertical axis, giving it “sidespin,” that’s called “English” in billiards. It may also occur when a ball collides with another or with a rail. The term comes from the British players who first became famous with sidespin techniques.
What does it mean when you put English on a ball?
In billiards, “English” is applied by striking the ball with the cue stick slightly off-center, causing the ball to spin and take a curved, rather than straight, path. “Body English” was originally actually a sardonic bit of humor. It means contorting one’s body (leaning, twisting, etc.)
What is it called when you put spin on a cue ball?
Follow. Follow, sometimes called top spin or simply “top,” is spin in the direction of travel of the cue ball, so that it is spinning faster than it would from its natural roll.
Where does the expression put some English on it?
It’s a term used in playing pool. It’s referring to how you hit the cue ball. If you “put some English on it” it means you’re hitting it as such an angle to where after the cue ball strikes the ball you’re aiming for, the cue ball with roll backwards toward you.
What is pool called in England?
Blackball pool
Blackball pool (sometimes written black ball), also known as reds and yellows and English eight-ball, is a pool game originating in the United Kingdom and popularized across Europe and The Commonwealth, such as Australia and South Africa. In the UK and Ireland it is usually called simply “pool”.
Where did the term English come from?
Supposedly, the word “English” is a corruption of the word “Anglish” — or, the “Language of the Angles”, one of the Germanic tribes that, along with the Saxons and the Jutes (collectively the “Anglo-Saxons”), invaded and colonised Britain from the 5th century after the Romans left.
What is the meaning English meaning?
adjective. of, relating to, or characteristic of England or its inhabitants, institutions, etc. belonging or relating to, or spoken or written in, the English language: a high school English class;an English translation of a Spanish novel. noun.
Do you get 2 shots on the 8 ball?
The eight-ball must be the last ball potted to win the game. 5. In the event of a foul, the opposing player receives two shots and these shots carry (i.e. if a ball is potted on the first shot, the player still has two shots). When on the eight-ball, if the player pots it but also fouls, that player loses the game.
When was putting some spin on a ball described?
“English” was in the 1913 Webster Dictionary, so we know it was around by then. Apparently “English” has been in use since 1869 (more info from OED): 1869 ‘M. TWAIN’ Innocents Abroad xii. 116 You would infallibly put the ‘English’ on the wrong side of the ball.
When did they start using English on a ball?
English (on a ball, etc.) The use of “English” to mean “spin induced to a ball or other projectile in order to alter its course” is a fairly recent American invention, dating back only to the mid-19th century, although the practice itself is probably as old as throwing stuff at chickens.
Why do people say’put some spin on it’?
The phrase “Put some English on it” might be a reference to “Old English” a brand of furniture polish. @user111259: This phrase is also used fairly often in basketball, when one lays up the ball against the backboard while putting some spin on it (example YouTube video).
Where does the word English come from in baseball?
“English” comes from “body English,” the contortions a thrower/roller/hitter goes through after the ball has left the hand/club/cue. These motions are called body English because they relate to the physical gestures we employ when we speak.