Why do they call it English in pool?

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.

Where does the term English in pool come from?

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).

Why do we use English in pool?

English is mainly used for shots where you use rails to get better position. When the ball has left or right spin on the cue ball it will change the direction the cue ball goes off the rail. Here are some of the uses for english: Creating larger or shallower angles off the rail.

Why do they say put 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.

Why do they say English in basketball?

"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.

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What does it mean to 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. The same technique is also called “side,” especially in Britain, because the ball is struck slightly to one side.

What is English pool called?

English billiards, called simply billiards in the United Kingdom and in many former British colonies, is a cue sport that combines the aspects of carom billiards and pool. Two cue balls (one white and one yellow) and a red object ball are used. Each player or team uses a different cue ball.

What does English mean in basketball?

English in basketball is the sidespin you apply to the basketball when you go up for layups. If you're on the right side, but you extend for the layup on the left side, you need to add sidespin so that the ball boomerangs back into the basket.

Why is it English and not American?

The use of English in the United States is a result of British colonization of the Americas. The first wave of English-speaking settlers arrived in North America during the early 17th century, followed by further migrations in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Is English or American pool harder?

With the larger pockets and balls, American pool is an easier game to pick up and learn, especially good if you have children you're looking to get into the game. The game is also a good deal faster with the smoother cloth.

How do British people say pool?

Below is the UK transcription for 'pool': Modern IPA: pʉ́wl. Traditional IPA: puːl. 1 syllable: "POOL"

Is English pool harder?

Even the cushions and pockets are designed differently. On British tables, the pockets are narrow with pronounced, rounded shoulders. This makes it harder to pot a ball, as the shoulders can rebound your shot in almost any direction, and promotes skill. The cushion profile is L-shaped, which gives a moderate rebound.

What is the difference between an American pool and an English pool?

The simplest answer is that the American pool tables are generally larger than English pool tables with the standard American pool table being an 7ft, 8ft or 9ft and the standard English pool table being a 6ft, 7ft or 8ft. The official tournament or professional sizes being 9ft for American, and 7ft for English.

What do they call pool in Europe?

The term billiards comes from the French. The root words are either 'billart' which is one of the sticks or 'bille,' which means ball. The sport had its beginnings way back in the 15th century in Northern Europe. The evolution to what we in America know as Pool has been long and drawn out.

What is the difference between American and English pool?

The Balls. As with their tables, American pool balls are bigger than British ones by ¼ inch. It may not seem like much of a difference, but at 2 ¼-inches, they're heavier and can therefore carry more forward momentum when rolling than the 2-inch British pool balls.

How many English are in the NBA?

There are just seven players from the UK to have played in the NBA, who have come through the British system.

What is it called when you put spin on a ball in pool?

Top spin. Top spin occurs when you apply the cue tip above the centre spot of the cue ball. The higher the strike the more top spin that is applied. You may sometimes hear top spin referred to as “follow” this is due to the fact that the cue ball will follow through after striking the object ball.

Is there English in bowling?

You might see bowlers jump up and down, yell or scream at the pins, or run around the approach or settee area out of excitement. “Body english” is really not a necessary emotion or body reaction but most bowlers will display some level of “body english”, even players at the highest skills levels.

When was English pool invented?

Billiards began as a lawn game similar to the croquet played sometime during the 15th century in Northern Europe. It has evolved from that point into the present-day style of billiard/pool table and rules.

Why are pool balls red and yellow?

One reason the pool balls were changed to two colours was that it was easy to replace Red or Yellow balls if one went missing. Rather than break a set up just for one numbered ball.

What is American pool called?

Eight-ball, the most commonly played form of pool (as distinct from blackball, a.k.a. British eightball pool) Nine-ball, the leading professional variant of pool, with historical roots in the United States in the 1920s.

What is English slang for ball?

By far, the most common slang term for testicles is balls. More crude but also common is nuts. Similar slang terms are stones and rocks. Gonads gives us the slang term nads (and the even slangier nards).

What is pool cue ball English?

Pool English is when a cue ball is hit in a way that gives it side spin, also called English. English can also happen when a ball hits another ball or rail.

What does using English mean?

English is another word for “sidespin” or “side spin” depending on how you want to spell it. It's an advanced technique used in billiards that changes the path the cue ball travels. Before learning how to use English, you probably want to master the fundamentals of billiards before proceeding.