Why is ping pong called table tennis?

Answer 1

In the early days of the sport (around 1890-1900) various names were used for this new game.

Different manufacturers used different names and Indoor Tennis, Gossima, Whiff-Whaff and Ping Pong were all early examples of patented or trademarked names.

But as the sport developed and manufacturers began to enforce their patents and trademarks, a new name was required, so in 1926 the international sport of Table Tennis was born.

So although most people use the names ping pong and Table Tennis interchangeably, Ping Pong is actually a registered trademark in the USA and a brand of equipment used to play the sport of table tennis.

However, particularly in the USA, the name ping pong has continued to be used.

This is probably because ping pong was promoted extensively in the early 1900s by the equipment manufacturers who owned the trademark, and therefore it became ingrained in peoples minds - just as any other product which is widely advertised and promoted.

Answer 2

In the early days of the sport (around 1890-1900) various names were used for this new game.

Different manufacturers used different names and Indoor Tennis, Gossima, Whiff-Whaff and Ping Pong were all early examples of patented or trademarked names.

But as the sport developed and manufacturers began to enforce their patents and trademarks, a new name was required, so in 1926 the international sport of TABLE TENNIS was born.

So although most people use the names ping pong and table tennis interchangeably, Ping Pong is actually a registered trademark in the USA and a brand of equipment used to play the sport of table tennis.

However, particularly in the USA, the name ping pong has continued to be used.

This is probably because ping pong was promoted extensively in the early 1900s by the equipment manufacturers who owned the trademark, and therefore it became ingrained in peoples minds - just as any other product which is widely advertised and promoted.