How did cue get its name?

The term "cue" comes from queue, the French word for "tail", in reference to this practice, a style of shooting that eventually led to the development of separate, footless cue sticks by about 1800, used initially as adjuncts to the mace, which remained in use until well into the 19th century.

What is the meaning of the word cue?

Britannica Dictionary definition of CUE. [count] 1. : a word, phrase, or action in a play, movie, etc., that is a signal for a performer to say or do something. That last line is your cue to exit the stage.

What is the history of cue sticks?

The cue stick was developed in the late 1600's. When the ball lay near a rail, the mace was very inconvenient to use because of its large head. In such a case, the players would turn the mace around and use its handle to strike the ball. The handle was called a “queue”- meaning “tail”- from which we get the word “cue”.

Is it cue or que?

Cue typically refers to a signal that encourages someone to take an action, while queue indicates an ordered line or file. Both cue and queue are pronounced like the letter Q, and are considered to be homophones.

What does cue mean in billiards?

Definitions of pool cue. sports implement consisting of a tapering rod used to strike a cue ball in pool or billiards. synonyms: cue, cue stick, pool stick. type of: sports implement. an implement used in a sport.

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Is a pool stick called a cue?

The solution was to come up with “footless” sticks. The handle of the mace was known as a “queue,” which meant “tail.” From there, it evolved, and we now have the word “cue.” Even with the invention of the cue stick, there were still some players that chose mace over the other.

Why is cue ball spin called English?

Here's the most common story: An Englishman visited the US soon after leather tips were invented. He gave exhibitions showing spin shots previously not possible. People were impressed with these new “English” shots. The name “english” stuck (for any shot using spin on the CB, especially sidespin).

Do Americans say cue?

Examples. Here are sample sentences that illustrate the difference between a cue and a queue, in American and in British English: The young actor waited nervously for her cue to step onto the stage. Here, cue refers to a prompt or a signal to do something at a precise time.

Is que an actual word?

Que: Que, in fact, is not a real word. It is often a common misspelling of queue.

Is que a real word?

Que is one of the most commonly used words in Spanish, Portuguese, and French. It is a multifunctional word, signifying everything from “that” and “which” to “what” or “whom.”

What is the oldest cue stick?

The earliest cues were called maces, which were derived from croquet mallets; pieces of wood which were curved at one end and often tipped with ivory.

What cue did Tom Cruise use?

The famous scene in the 1986 sequel to The Hustler, The Color of Money where Tom Cruise is given a beautiful cue by Paul Newman and told, “It's a Balabushka,” made the name Balabushka synonymous with top quality pool cues.

What are pool balls called?

A billiard ball is a small, hard ball used in cue sports, such as carom billiards, pool, and snooker.

What is a synonym for the word cue?

Why do people say que?

When you use qué with an accent, it usually means that your sentence is an exclamation or an interjection. In the cases mentioned above, ¡Qué…! usually translates as “What…!”. But there are some cases when “How…!” is the best translation.

Why is que not a Scrabble word?

Despite the fact that it would be a useful word for the game, “que” is not a valid word to play in Scrabble. It commonly stands for “Quebec.” It is also the Spanish word for “what,” an appropriate question to ask when one finds out that the word isn't legal in Scrabble.

Is Ques Latin or Greek?

-ques- comes from Latin, where it has the meaning "seek; look for; ask. '' This meaning is found in such words as: conquest, inquest, quest, question, request.

When was the word cue invented?

Shakespeare's printed texts have it as both Q and cue. Cue as a name for "the letter Q" is attested from 1755. Transferred to music by 1880. Figurative sense of "sign or hint to speak or act" is from 1560s.

Why do Brits say queue?

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the first usage of “queue”—as “a line or sequence of people, vehicles, etc., waiting their turn to proceed, or to be attended to”—appears in the Scottish historian Thomas Carlyle's 1837 The French Revolution: A History.

What is the plural form of cue?

The plural form of cue; more than one (kind of) cue.

Can you use an American cue for English pool?

Using an American Cue for English Pool

For general play, a player would struggle using an American pool cue due to the difficulty in precise ball control. The cue tip is so large compared to the English cue ball that striking a specific point on it accurately is very difficult.

What do Americans call snooker?

American snooker is a cue sport played almost exclusively in the United States, and strictly on a recreational, amateur basis.

Why does the cue ball have a dot?

The dots show the player the extent of the spin he has imparted and also the spin axis. Tables vary somewhat in how they interact with a spinning cue ball, so seeing the way the ball spins is invaluable.

What is the triangle in pool called?

A rack (sometimes called a triangle) is a piece of equipment that is used to place billiard balls in their starting positions at the beginning of a pocket billiards game.

What is the blue chalk for in pool?

This prevents the cue from sliding off the ball prematurely, ruining the shot (called a 'miscue'). Over time, the tip of a pool stick becomes worn and smooth from use. Chalk provides the friction necessary to make a shot.