| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Rick |
Posted - 03/24/2008 : 8:44:40 PM
Why's putting side spin on a ball called english ? Being English I have a vested interest in the answer , any ideas ? |
| 14 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Torsten |
Posted - 03/28/2008 : 6:22:37 PM
Good luck with that, Rick. Even a collection of doofuses (doofi?) sport a pretty hefty combined IQ!!!
I think the worst time to have a heart attack would be during a game of charades... or during a game of fake heart attack. |
| Rick |
Posted - 03/27/2008 : 10:58:41 AM
Thank you all , I shall now endeavour to think up some other inane question in an attempt to stump your combined intellect . |
| EatGolf |
Posted - 03/27/2008 : 02:20:11 AM
It appears Torsten is correct about it starting as "body English"
from http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/menglish.html
...sources are pretty much in agreement. "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.
So, while "body English" is what we do after the ball is in motion, the term "English" is reserved to describe motion actually put on the ball by its spin...
|
| trhxke |
Posted - 03/26/2008 : 7:53:35 PM
quote:
[i]Originally posted by Rick[/i]
[br]The only place that doesn't use the phrase is ......wait for it .......... England !
He's right Mate!
Ask Fred Dangerfield some time and he'll tell you that you should use a little "side"....that is what the Brits call it.
Tom Hardinger
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| Rick |
Posted - 03/26/2008 : 5:26:30 PM
The only place that doesn't use the phrase is ......wait for it .......... England ! |
| frananator |
Posted - 03/26/2008 : 4:54:19 PM
Hey Torsten,
Down here by the border we tell our players they used "spanglish" when they used the exact opposite english they should have used for the shot  |
| Torsten |
Posted - 03/26/2008 : 2:37:37 PM
Oh yeah, I tried to look up on the internet if different languages have similar expressions. "Try a little left Portuguese on this one to bring the white ball back around." From what I can tell, the term "english" in reference to spin is pretty much limited to the English language.
However, I think it would be fun, if only to mess with my lower SL players a little bit while coaching, to start using random languages when describing how to hit a shot.
"You need to put some Swahili on this to avoid scratching."
"Hit it hard with Tajiki for the breakout."
I could go on for days...
I think the worst time to have a heart attack would be during a game of charades... or during a game of fake heart attack. |
| Torsten |
Posted - 03/26/2008 : 2:26:16 PM
All kidding aside, I believe the term "english" in reference to spin is not limited to pool or billiards. It's frequently used in baseball (the english on that grounder really fooled the shortstop) or basketball (kobe used english off the backboard) etc. etc.
Colloquially, the origins are believed to come from "body english", as in the bodily movements and expressions we make when we talk or communicate, as well as perform things in game or sport, such as throwing a bowling ball, taking a golf swing, and, yes, striking a pool ball. I don't know how accurate this is, but it makes sense to me. Your thoughts???
I think the worst time to have a heart attack would be during a game of charades... or during a game of fake heart attack. |
| Rick |
Posted - 03/25/2008 : 2:44:32 PM
E-nglishman
N-ow
G-ets
L-aughter
I-n
S-pin
H-umiliation |
| jackmurray |
Posted - 03/25/2008 : 1:14:35 PM
Good one. Sorry if I blew it for you but I think I might use your definition sometime! |
| DavidJH |
Posted - 03/25/2008 : 11:52:52 AM
I made it up... sorry... just a joke... |
| jackmurray |
Posted - 03/25/2008 : 11:16:56 AM
Hey David,
I gotta know where you found that acronym... I was trying to find the answer and thought I finally got close.....(http://en.allexperts.com/q/Pool-Billiards-2283/english-1.htm)
According to the Illustrated Encyclopedia of Billiards, the origin of the the term english to refer to sidespin is unknown. It is suggested that during the 1800s Englishmen either visiting or or who had emigrated to America, may have introduced spin and their nation of origin was applied to the technique.
Best of luck,
Pool Teacher
You're answer looks like a great bs answer that just can't be for real but would be great if it is/was.... |
| Rick |
Posted - 03/25/2008 : 09:59:56 AM
I never would have guessed that !
Thanks David |
| DavidJH |
Posted - 03/25/2008 : 08:55:49 AM
Originally, it was an acronym for:
E-mit
N-egative
G-lide
L-ightly
I-nto
S-ide
P-ocket
ENGLISP, but was later changed to ENGLISH |
