Editor's Blog1 min ago
Bowls (Sport)
Why is the white ball in bowls known as the jack.
Answers
I found this:- There are competing theories as to etymological origin of the word "Jack". John P Monro, Bowls Encyclopaedi
18:56 Sun 29th Jan 2017
I found this:-
There are competing theories as to etymological origin of the word "Jack". John P Monro, Bowls Encyclopaedia (3rd ed), gives that the name 'jack' is derived from the Latin word jactus, meaning a cast or a throw. A sport played by young men called "casting the stone" is mentioned by William FitzStephen, a close friend of Thomas à Becket, in the preface of his biography Vita Sancti Thomae written during the twelfth century . Casting of stones translates in Latin as "jactu lapidum" and was a game in which rounded stones were thrown at or bowled towards a target object and so some are persuaded that the modern word 'Jack' derives originally from this term.
But the most straightforward theory and the one most favoured by this author is that it appears that Jack in some contexts meant a slightly smaller version of something. For example a jack-rabbit is a little rabbit. In this case a 'Jack-Bowl', was the little bowl, later shortened to 'Jack'. In 1697 R. Pierce wrote "He had not Strength to throw the Jack-Bowl half over the Green".
There are competing theories as to etymological origin of the word "Jack". John P Monro, Bowls Encyclopaedia (3rd ed), gives that the name 'jack' is derived from the Latin word jactus, meaning a cast or a throw. A sport played by young men called "casting the stone" is mentioned by William FitzStephen, a close friend of Thomas à Becket, in the preface of his biography Vita Sancti Thomae written during the twelfth century . Casting of stones translates in Latin as "jactu lapidum" and was a game in which rounded stones were thrown at or bowled towards a target object and so some are persuaded that the modern word 'Jack' derives originally from this term.
But the most straightforward theory and the one most favoured by this author is that it appears that Jack in some contexts meant a slightly smaller version of something. For example a jack-rabbit is a little rabbit. In this case a 'Jack-Bowl', was the little bowl, later shortened to 'Jack'. In 1697 R. Pierce wrote "He had not Strength to throw the Jack-Bowl half over the Green".
I did wonder about that, Unsureme......but I would think there has to be a selection of coloured bowls from which competitors can choose....I would hope so.....I like my own bowls and play well with them.....but I'd be struggling if I were just given some to play with as my hands are very small.....
Maybe a really good player can just pick up a bowl and ....bowl.....I'd probably injure someone......☺
Haven't watched the final yet......the semi was good!
Maybe a really good player can just pick up a bowl and ....bowl.....I'd probably injure someone......☺
Haven't watched the final yet......the semi was good!
I haven't played indoor for such a long time, Unsureme......I just didn't like the greens, as you say...too perfect....clinical and no breeze and wandering dogs to take into consideration... and the folk at the club I went to were a bit prissy.....
Outdoors for me every time......I've had a break for different reasons but my bowls and shoes are here waiting.....x
Outdoors for me every time......I've had a break for different reasons but my bowls and shoes are here waiting.....x
