Marco from San Diego, California, is curious about why sportscasters speak of a player who put English on a ball. The expression appears to have begun with British players of billiards and snooker, who first figured out how to give a ball some extra...
Calcutta wager n.—Gloss: a form of gambling on a sporting event involving multiple contestants in which each contestant’s name is auctioned off to observers. At the end of the event, the high bidder for a winning contestant’s name receives a...
Greg Pliska’s quiz about terms from football, curling, and other sports leaves Martha and Grant winded but wanting more. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Double Plays Sports Quiz” You’re listening to A Way with Words. I’m Martha...
