Glossary Of Colloquialisms
Here is a list of some standard bowls sayings. However there may be many
more than shown here, especially local sayings. If you know of any sayings,
not shown, please send them in using the form opposite.
All but
Where a player needs only one point to win. Usually in the form of "Player(a)
is lying all but 19" which, if the game is
to 21 points, means the score is 20 to Player(a)
and 19 to Player B.
Bobby (Blocker)
A bowl played short of the jack blocking the normal route to the jack.
The idea is to force the opponent to play with the other bias and
to find another way in to the jack or to guard against a 'firing' shot.
Blobbing
Mainly heard in South Yorkshire/North Derbyshire to describe the beating
of an opponent to a nil score. See also 'Whitewash'.
Block (Jack)
A Crown Green jack has a bias which, for 'Standard Jacks', is now carefully
controlled, and measured on a standard testing table.
Ditch
This marks the boundary of the playing surface. Any bowl or jack going
into the channel is 'dead'.
Firing
A bowl played at great speed so that the bias has little effect. The
intention is to remove an opponent's bowl, or to force the jack into
the ditch thus killing the end.
Knob
Usually, but not necessarily, the crown of a green. It could be any high
point on the green, and is used to good advantage by players specialising
in short marks where delicate and accurate delivery is required.
Peg (Bias)
Thumb Peg - When a jack or bowl is played with
the bias on the thumb side. Finger peg - When
a jack or bowl played with the bias on the little finger side of the
hand. This can be confusing when left and right handed players meet in
a game.
Sky Bias - Usually occurs when jack or bowl slips
out of the player's hand during delivery, and travels on its side rather
than the running surface thus causing it to bobble along the playing
surface.
Pegs
Another word for measures, as is tapes.
Playing through
Describes the delivery of a bowl played with enough pace to take the
bowl a couple of yards past the end unless it makes contact with the
intended target. This type of delivery is used to try and 'rest out'
an opponents bowl, or take the jack through to the player's back bowl.
Rest out
To play a bowl so that it moves an opponent's bowl from adjacent the jack and
rests in its place to count.
Striking
Same as firing and more generally used for crown green bowls.
Toucher
A bowl played so that when it comes to rest it is in contact with the
jack.
Whitewash
A player who is beaten without scoring a point.
Who's on
A player wanting to know whose bowl is nearest the jack.
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Sayings
If you have any sayings to add to this list please send
them using the form below.