It’s time to get together in front of the colorful digital scoreboard for a fun investigation of the odd and sometimes comical language of bowling. The vocabulary of this well-liked game is as varied as the shiny balls stacked on the rack; it’s full of humor, insight, and the occasional wild turkey. Join us as we explore the intriguing world of bowling words, covering everything from gutter balls to strikes and everything in between.
First up is the best part of bowling – the amazing strike. Watching this magical moment unfold when your potent bowling ball makes one amazing throw and all ten pins fall is amazing. The term “strike” in bowling refers to the ideal combination of speed, spin, and precisely the right aim. It may conjure images of workers taking action or terrifying thunderstorms. When you hit a strike, also referred to as throwing “a perfect ball,” you may feel as though time has stopped and that one incredible shot is all that matters. Or in some cases maybe it’s a fluke at the highest level.
While it’s always nice to get a strike, what’s even better is getting two straight strikes, which means you’ve just secured a double! Or, if you’re more into rhymes, a “Barny Rubble”! I would be ecstatic if that was the outcome! So, get ready to celebrate before you head out once more!
Before you get confused, we promise were not talking about Christmas Dinners. In humorous bowling jargon, a turkey represents the incredible accomplishment of bowling three strikes in a row. Although the origin of this odd term is unknown, an intriguing theory is that it stems from the long-standing tradition of giving a winning bowler a real turkey when they complete a three-in-a-row. Imagine a bowler who draws attention from everyone around them by coming out of the alley with a clucking turkey beneath their arm.
These are uncommon on the lanes, and you won’t come across one strolling through the garden in the conventional sense. Once you’ve made a turkey, next up is a badger. Four consecutive strikes are referred to as a “four-badger,” five consecutive strikes as a “five-badger,” six consecutive strikes as a “six-badger,” and so on.
Moving on from the excitement of the strike, we meet its modest cousin – the spare. This happens when you make another attempt after your first attempt failed and happily manage to knock down every pin. Think of it as the thrilling second act of bowling’s performance and a representation of the core idea of the game: second chances. Its like messing up your lines in a play but bouncing back with a smart, off-the-cuff comeback.
And no, in this case we’re not talking about a cute little bird. Instead, we’ll talk about bowling and the not-so-modest sparrow—three consecutive spares! If your first throw doesn’t knock out every pin, your second attempt will, and you’ll do this not once, not twice, but over the course of three frames! This is not to be sniffed at, it’s the king of the comeback.
Now this one is a little frustrating for those who like to get competitive. Imagine a random arrangement of the remaining pins spaced out so that it would be nearly impossible to strike them all on a subsequent throw! It’s not ideal, but you always have your next turn to turn things up! It happens when a bowler strikes a pin on their first throw in a way that, to put it mildly, leaves the pins in an unfavorable position!
This phrase, while it may evoke thoughts of bowling alley maintenance, actually highlights the amazing achievement of consistently hitting a strike or a spare in each frame. Picture it as the bowling equivalent of an accomplished pianist flawlessly performing every note. It reflects a perfect blend of technique, focus, and a smidgen of good luck.
Now this is the stuff of dreams. When a player hits a strike on every turn, the game is perfect because it’s impossible to do better. This results in the highest possible score in tenpin bowling, which is 300. There is nothing flukey about that – it’s pure talent at its best.
We now move to the rough part of bowling – the famous gutter ball. This happens when your bowling ball, like a disoriented and confused explorer, slides into the gutter of the lane and avoids the pins. Even though they may seem like a major letdown in the overall scheme of bowling, gutter balls are really only insignificant challenges meant to give our victories a little humility.
Ever heard someone shout “turkey!” on the bowling lane? It’s not a real bird, but a feat that’s as rare and impressive as catching a Thanksgiving gobbler. But why a turkey? Let’s gobble up the history and lingo behind this bowling term.
From Prize to Nickname:
Back in the 1700s and 1800s, bowling tournaments were a big deal, and prizes were often food, like hams and yes, turkeys. Scoring three strikes in a row was a rare accomplishment, so these lucky bowlers were rewarded with a feathered friend.
Over time, the prize evolved into the nickname “turkey” for the three-strike feat. It’s a tradition that stuck, even though you won’t be taking home a live turkey anytime soon.
Bowling Lingo: A Feast of Terms:
But “turkey” is just the tip of the bowling lingo iceberg, Get ready for a feast of other terms for multi-strike achievements:
- Double: Two strikes in a row.
- Hambone: Four strikes in a row, coined by commentator Rob Stone.
- Brat: Five strikes in a row, like a pack of bratwursts.
- Wild Turkey/6-Pack: Six strikes in a row.
- Ham-Turkey Dinner: Seven strikes in a row, combining “hambone” and “turkey.”
- Octopus: Eight strikes in a row, as many as an octopus has tentacles.
- Golden Turkey: Nine strikes in a row, a rare and impressive feat.
- Dinosaur: The elusive perfect game of 12 strikes, as rare as a dinosaur sighting.
Bowling with Zone 28:
Feeling inspired to try your luck at bowling a turkey? Zone 28 is open Thanksgiving Day, so come on down and give it a shot! And even if you don’t score a turkey, you can still enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving feast with your family.
Bonus:
- Turkey Bowling: This fun twist on the game uses frozen turkeys instead of bowling balls. It’s a great way to raise funds, especially during the holiday season.
So, next time you hear someone yell “turkey!” on the bowling lane, you’ll know exactly what they mean And who knows, maybe you’ll even be the one shouting it soon!
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FAQ
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