Where did the term English originate in billiards?

Answer 1

Each time you stroke the cue ball to the left or right of center, some degree of english is applied. (Note that english is not capitalized, it has nothing to do with England.)

How much english you get is based on 4 factors - how far from cue ball center contact is made; how long the cue tip stays in contact with the cue ball; condition of the cue tip; condition of the cue ball and pool table playing surface. To increase the amount of english, a soft cue tip is required and the player must accelerate the cue as contact is made with the cue ball, resulting in staying in contact for a longer period. In addition, if you have a cue that you know you will use english with quite regularly, the tip should have the "dime" shape. Cue tips are typically shaped to the curvature of either a nickel or a dime. The shape of a dime allows the tip to stay in contact with the cue ball longer than the nickel shape, improving english.

Answer 2

United States. The term english has been used in the US since the 1800's to describe putting sidespin on a cue ball. Although it is not documented, it is claimed that Englishmen instructing Americans how to apply side spin to the cue ball in the early 1800's resulted in the Americans using the term "english" to describe the shot. The term english is not capitalized as it refers to a shot and not a nationality or other proper name.

Answer 3

The term 'english' is used to describe the spin put on the cue ball by striking it either left or right of center.

Answer 4

English or Sidespin is an advanced technique in billiards. Basically, the cue ball does not travel the same path that your cue stick is aiming.

Answer 5

That is 'putting a spin' on the cue ball.