Bowling lingo is the specialized terminology that is used in the activity of bowling. Bowling is a popular sport. It contains words and phrases that are used to describe various elements of the game, such as the scoring, lane conditions, equipment, and techniques. It is essential to have a solid grasp of the bowling lingo in order to communicate successfully with other bowlers and to have a complete appreciation for the subtleties involved in the sport.
Bowling has its own jargon, and some instances of it are the terms “strike,” “spare,” “gutter ball,” “hook,” “pocket,” “turkey,” and “sleeper.” Other terms might include specific titles for different kinds of bowling balls or particular strategies that bowlers employ. Bowlers are able to communicate with one another in a language that is unique to the sport thanks to the jargon that is used during the game.
Here is a complete list of common bowling terms and their explanations:
- Strike – When a bowler knocks down all ten pins with the first ball of a frame, they score a strike. It’s also called a “X” on a scorecard.
- Spare – When a bowler knocks down all ten pins with two balls in a frame, they score a spare. It’s also called a “/” on a scorecard.
- Open Frame – When a bowler fails to knock down all ten pins in a frame, they score an open frame. It’s also called a “-“.
- Turkey – Three consecutive strikes in a row is called a turkey.
- Four-bagger – Four consecutive strikes in a row is called a four-bagger.
- Five-bagger – Five consecutive strikes in a row is called a five-bagger.
- Six-bagger – Six consecutive strikes in a row is called a six-bagger.
- Seven-bagger – Seven consecutive strikes in a row is called a seven-bagger.
- Eight-bagger – Eight consecutive strikes in a row is called an eight-bagger.
- Nine-bagger – Nine consecutive strikes in a row is called a nine-bagger.
- Big four – A split between the 4-6-7-10 pins.
- Brooklyn – When the ball crosses over the headpin and hits the opposite side, it’s called a Brooklyn.
- Double – When a bowler scores two consecutive strikes in a row, it’s called a double.
- Triple – When a bowler scores three consecutive strikes in a row, it’s called a triple.
- Foul – When a bowler steps over the foul line while delivering the ball, it’s called a foul.
- Gutter – The channels on either side of the lane are called gutters.
- Hook – When the ball curves in towards the pocket, it’s called a hook.
- Pocket – The area between the 1 and 3 pins for right-handed bowlers and the 1 and 2 pins for left-handed bowlers is called the pocket.
- Washout – A difficult split where the bowler leaves the 1-2-4-10 or 1-3-6-7 pins.
- Sleeper – A pin that’s hidden behind another pin, making it difficult to knock down.
- Strikeout – When a bowler strikes in the ninth and tenth frames, it’s called a strikeout.
- Double Wood – When a pin is left standing behind another pin.
- Split – When two or more pins are left standing with a gap between them, it’s called a split.
- Turkey Sandwich – When a bowler scores a spare in between two strikes, it’s called a turkey sandwich.
- Dutch 200 – A game where the bowler alternates between strikes and spares for a score of 200.
- Baker format – A format in team bowling where each player bowls a different frame in sequence to complete a game.
- Breakpoint – The point where the ball starts to curve on the lane towards the pocket.
- Carry – When the ball hits the pocket and knocks down all the pins.
- Clean game – A game where the bowler doesn’t have any open frames.
- Double-dribble – When the ball hits the lane twice before crossing the foul line.
- Foul line – The line at the beginning of the lane that bowlers must stay behind when delivering the ball.
- Handicap – An additional score or pins awarded to a bowler to even out the playing field in league play.
- Headpin – The 1-pin, located at the front of the triangle of pins.
- House ball – A bowling ball provided by the bowling center for general use.
- Lane conditions – The oil pattern on the lane that affects how the ball reacts.
- League – A group of bowlers who compete against each other on a regular basis.
- Loft – The distance the ball travels in the air before it hits the lane.
- Mark – A strike or spare on the scorecard.
- Nose – When the ball hits the headpin directly.
- Pin deck – The area where the pins are set up on the lane.
- Release – The moment when the bowler lets go of the ball.
- Rev rate – The number of revolutions per minute that the ball rotates.
- Sandbagger – A bowler who intentionally bowls below their average to lower their handicap for the following week.
- Scratch – A score without handicap.
- Tap – When a pin is left standing after a seemingly perfect shot.
- Ten-back – When the ball hits the pocket and knocks down all the pins, leaving only the 10-pin standing.
- Thumb hole – The hole in the ball where the bowler inserts their thumb.
- Turkey dinner – Three consecutive strikes that result in a turkey and a spare.
- Washboard – When the ball leaves a pattern of track marks on the lane.
- X-out – A scorecard notation used to indicate a perfect game (all strikes).
