Crack the Code: Your Hilariously Handy Guide to Bowling Lingo
Bowling is more than rolling a ball at pins. It’s a sport with tradition, strategy, and its own language. Have you overheard bowlers talk and felt lost? This guide helps decode that lingo and celebrates consecutive strikes.
Strike City: Decoding Consecutive Strike Terms
Let’s get to the good stuff. Here are terms that honor your strike skills, especially when you hit a streak. Striking strikes is your bowling jackpot. It’s fun, with all the flair of flashing lights.
Double Trouble (But in a Good Way): The Double
- Two strikes in a row? You got a classic “double.” Simple and perfect for bragging rights. This is the first step toward a strike feast.
- A pair of strikes still counts as a “double.” Bowling uses straightforward terms here. Consistency and clarity are vital.
Turkey Time: The Turkey
- Three strikes in a row? Congrats, that’s a “turkey.” Why turkey? No one knows. It sounds festive. Three strikes in a row are a treat in the bowling world.
- A trio of strikes means “turkey.” Keep chasing those birds!
Hambone Heaven: The Hambone
- Four strikes in a row? Welcome to “hambone” territory. Popularized by Rob Stone, it feels a bit hearty. That’s a virtual sandwich for your strike streak.
- Four strikes also goes by “four-bagger.” Collecting strikes with quirky terms is part of the fun.
Five Alive: The Five-Bagger
- Five strikes in a row? Hold tight; you just snagged a “five-bagger.” The term ‘bagger’ implies consecutive strikes. Five is noteworthy (or at least worthy of sharing with friends).
- You’re already using it: “five-bagger.” Bowling slang is often simple.
Six-Pack or Wild Turkey: Double the Bird, Double the Fun
- Six strikes in a row? Choose your name! Call it a “six-pack” and think of drinks after the achievement. Want wild? Go with “wild turkey.” It’s a super-charged turkey that’s harder to grab, just like those strikes!
- Six consecutive strikes are definitely called “six-pack” or “wild turkey.” Select based on your mood!
Seven Heaven: Front Seven or Seven-Bagger
- Seven strikes in a row? Congrats, you’re in the “front seven” or “seven-bagger.” “Front seven” shows you dominate the front of the game. Seven-bagger simply means you’ve bagged more.
Eight is Great: Front Eight or Eight-Bagger
- Eight strikes in a row? No surprise – it’s the “front eight” or “eight-bagger.” The consistent branding makes bowling charming.
Golden Glory: Golden Turkey, Front Nine, or Nine-Bagger
- Nine strikes in a row? Bow down; you’ve got a “golden turkey,” “front nine,” or “nine-bagger.” “Golden turkey” seems prestigious, like a rare prize. “Front nine” shows near-perfect performance. Nine-bagger? You know the drill!
- Nine strikes mean “golden turkey.” Keep it in mind for high bowling credibility.
Ten-Strike Titan: Ten-Bagger or Front Ten
- Ten strikes in a row? You’ve achieved a “ten-bagger” or “front ten.” You’re hugging the boundary of a perfect game. Tension builds.
- Ten consecutive strikes are “10-bagger” or “front ten.” Keep that going!
Perfection Achieved: Perfect Game (12 Strikes) and Thanksgiving Turkey
- Twelve strikes in a row? That’s bowling nirvana, also called a “perfect game.” Your score is 300. You’ve hit perfection!
- Twelve strikes make a “perfect game.” It’s also called a “Thanksgiving turkey,” likely because it resembles an impressive feast.
- Why twelve strikes? In ten-pin bowling, there are two bonus balls in the 10th frame for strikes. To score perfectly, strike in each first nine frames then hit three in the 10th. Math and strikes collide!
Beyond Perfection: 900 Series (36 Strikes)
- Think a perfect game is cool? Picture a “900 series.” That’s 36 consecutive strikes – three perfect games in sequence! It’s legendary like a unicorn bowling!
- A “900 series” counts as thirty-six straight strikes. If you see this, buy a lottery ticket. Your luck must be sky-high!
The Bagger Bandit: Bagger (General Term)
- Lastly, the catch-all term: “bagger.” It denotes any number of consecutive strikes. Whether you’re a two-bagger or twelve-bagger, you’re doing well!
Beyond Strikes: A Medley of Bowling Miscellany
Bowling terms go beyond strikes. There’s plenty of colorful vocabulary for less-than-ideal moments and quirky scenarios.
Wombat Woes: The Wombat
- A gutter ball first followed by a strike? Congratulations, you performed a “wombat.” Why this name? Maybe it refers to starting poorly but doing great later, just like the marsupial.
Split Decisions: 7-10 Split, Bedposts, Snake Eyes, 5-7-10 Split, Lily, Sour Apple, Woolworth, Kresge, Dime Store, Full Murray, Three Wise Men
- The infamous 7-10 split catches two stubborn pins on opposite ends. Called “bedposts” or “snake eyes,” the bedposts resemble those in a bed. Snake eyes hint at bad luck from dice.
- The heart-wrenching 5-7-10 split has many names: “Lily,” “Sour Apple,” “Woolworth,” “Kresge,” “Dime store,” “Full Murray,” or “Three wise men.” Each likely has an origin involving frustration and near misses on spare attempts.
- “Woolworth,” “Kresge,” and “Dime store” refer to past five-and-dime stores, suggesting cheapness. “Sour apple” and “Lily” evoke bitterness. “Three wise men” and “Full Murray”? Some terms remain mysteries!
Brooklyn Bridge to a Strike: Brooklyn Strike
- A “Brooklyn strike” isn’t geographic; it’s about angle. It hits the 1-3 pocket for right-handers (or 1-2 for lefties) but crosses to hit the opposite side of the headpin. It’s unorthodox yet effective.
- Named for Brooklyn, bowling terms can be quirky.
Dutch Treat: Dutch 200
- Scoring exactly 200 by alternating strikes and spares? That’s a “Dutch 200.” Each frame earns 20 points alternating this way. Why “Dutch”? Your guess is just as valid! Maybe it’s just neat and tidy.
Grandma’s Grin: Grandma’s Teeth
- A split where remaining pins look like a gap-toothed grin? That’s known as “Grandma’s teeth.” A cheeky, age-related term to describe a discouraging pin layout.
Random Bowling Ramblings: Rhino, Woolworth (Again!), Illegal Bowling, Pearl, Zorb, Stroker, Butterball, Kitty, Cherry, Bone
And when you thought this was all, there’s even more! Bowling terms are a deep well of expressions.
- Rhino in Bowling: Not an actual rhino on lanes (fortunately). “Rhino” denotes a type of bowling ball, like the Brunswick Rhino, designed well for beginners. It balances power and control.
- Woolworth in Bowling (Revisited): “Woolworth” appears again. This time not merely for splits but also for pin layouts like 5-7 or 5-10. Bowling terms recycle for fun!
- Illegal Bowling: Don’t cross the foul line when releasing! That’s called “illegal bowling.” Keep feet behind the line to avoid losing points and mild embarrassment.
- Pearl in Bowling: “Pearl” describes a specific coverstock on bowling balls, indicating smoothness and how they roll.
- Bowling balls use pearl coverstocks. They look shiny and glossy. These coatings affect how the ball behaves on the lane.
- Zorb Bowling: Want to become the bowling ball? “Zorb bowling” involves a human in a giant inflatable ball (a Zorb ball) rolling down a lane to hit huge inflatable pins. It’s as fun as it sounds.
- Stroker in Bowling: A “stroker” is a bowler with smooth, controlled release. They rely on finesse, not power. The opposite is a “cranker,” who uses power and high revs.
- Butterball in Bowling: “Butterball” refers to a gutter ball. It slips right into the gutter. Ouch.
- Kitty in Bowling: The “kitty” in lawn bowling (bowls) is not a cat. It is the small white ball you want your larger balls (bowls) closest to. Different game, same quirky names.
- Cherry in Bowling: A “cherry” occurs when you knock down only the front pin(s). It’s close to a spare but not quite there.
- Bone in Bowling: “Bone” means “hambone” – four strikes in a row. Two words are often better than one!
Bonus Round: Other Games (Why Not?)
This is a bit off-topic, but it was mentioned…
- 5 in a row game: The “5 in a row” game is just about getting five in a row. Groundbreaking stuff, I know. There’s even a YouTube video if you’re curious.
- Omok (Gomoku): This game, known as Gomoku or Wuziqi, is about getting five stones in a row. It’s tic-tac-toe on steroids with more squares. Not bowling, but still a game!
Now you are equipped with bowling terms. Impress your fellow bowlers or confuse them! Go forward, strike confidently, and drop a “wild turkey” into casual chat. Bowling night just got more interesting!
