Why is a pool stick called a cue?

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.

Why is it called pool cue?

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. Public pool rooms were soon available, although skilled players only used them.

Is a pool stick called a cue?

A pool table stick is a piece of wood or plastic with a small, round end and a larger, rectangular one. It's used to push the balls around the table. A pool table stick is typically called a cue, and it's used to hit the balls in a game of pool.

What is the meaning of cue sticks?

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

What is the history of the cue stick?

The origins of the snooker cue

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. The player would trail the top of the mace over his right shoulder, and push the ball along with a sweeping motion.

Pool Cue Comparison

Were cue balls ever made of ivory?

For a long time, the elephant ivory was the material of choice for pool balls. Unfortunately, mass markets in many parts of the world, including the western countries, used too much of the material. Ivories were not only utilised for pool balls but also commercial trinkets, combs, and piano keys as mentioned above.

Does the word cue mean?

1. : a signal (such as a word, phrase, or bit of stage business) to a performer to begin a specific speech or action. That last line is your cue to exit the stage. : something serving a comparable purpose : hint. I'll take that yawn as my cue to leave.

What is the full meaning of cue?

To cue means to provide a hint or prompt for an action, as in The actors cued each other during rehearsal so they could memorize all the cues. To cue can also mean to insert or direct to come in, as in Cue the music, and raise the curtain!

What is the name cue short for?

Irish: shortened form of McCue which is itself a variant of McCoy .

What is the difference between a pool cue and a billiard cue?

As a result, pool cues are heavier in the grip and snooker cues in the tip. Pool cues are also manufactured to be far more flexible than their snooker counterparts because players focus more on the throw. Snooker, however, is all about precision and accuracy, so cues are made to be stiff.

What is a cue holder called?

Cue Racks and Stands

Keep your cues safe and organized with a cue rack.

What is the triangle called in pool?

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 term cue used in sports?

Cue sports are a wide variety of games of skill played with a cue, which is used to strike billiard balls and thereby cause them to move around a cloth-covered table bounded by elastic bumpers known as cushions .

Do Americans say pool or billiards?

American pool is a term used in the United Kingdom, and sometimes more broadly outside North America, to refer to pool (pocket billiards) cue sports that make use of formerly American-style and now professionally world-standardised numbered billiard balls that have a standard diameter of 57 mm (21⁄4 in), as opposed to ...

What are pool players called?

Most billiard players are called exactly that - “billiard players”, or sometimes “pool players” or even “players” when the context is understood. A really good pool player, however, is often referred to as a “pool shark”.

What is cue in American English?

cue in American English

1. a bit of dialogue, action, or music that is a signal for an actor's entrance or speech, or for the working of curtains, lights, sound effects, etc.

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 pool table balls turn yellow?

Most billiard balls are made of hard plastic materials that are resistant to cracking and chipping. As sometimes happens with plastics, over time exposure to UV light, combined with exposure to heat and oxygen, can cause a process called photodegradation through photooxidation.

Why put chalk on cue?

Chalk lets you add friction to the cue tip, which allows you to make a shot, rather than have the cue slipping off the ball prematurely. Your pool cue tip will come in great condition to play, but over time, it will get worn down, which is why having solid chalk is key to staying on top of your 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.

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.

Why do pool players have 2 cues?

The simple answer why every game has its own cue is because of the size of each game's cue ball being a unique size and weight. Depending on what game you play, the size of the cue ball can vary dramatically.

What is the first shot in pool called?

break: the first shot of a pool game where the CB is hit from behind the head string (i.e., in the “kitchen”) into the racked balls; or, in snooker, a series of pots in a single inning.