In billiards, why do they call one shot "English"?

Question

The one where you place the cue tip on any side of the ball.

Just curious.

Answer 1

Just to add a little history to the answer...It was actually a Frenchman, Francois Mingaud who invented the leather cue tip during the French Revolution.  So, technically, it was the French that made it possible to impart spin onto the cue ball.  It's possible that the English were the first to popularize the practice on a large scale.  In England, of course they refer to "English" as "side".  Ironically, the top cue sport in England, snooker, uses very little "English".  Most shots in snooker require the shooter to stay on the vertical axis.  Food for thought.  M.D.-BCA Instructor/Referee.

P.S. I didn't say that they "never" use English in snooker.  Why do people insist on twisting my words?  My point is that the pockets are so tight in snooker that it's extremely difficult to account for cue ball deflection at any distance.  I'm speaking in generalities here.  Of course, there will be exceptions.  Relax people.

Answer 2

according to Cue sports history, Cue sports evolve from Europe. Snooker was the first pocket billiard.  In Snooker "Side" is the term use to mean spin.  British introduce Snooker to America,  that's why "English" was then became the name for spin.

Answer 3

Straight_Shooter: To say that snooker players don't use english is grossly incorrect, true you don't see the effects of english as clearly as you do in pool, but I promise you there are very few shots that a pro snooker player will take and not apply english to the cue ball. For some great examples of big players that use english to wonderful effect take a look at Jimmy White and Ronnie O

sullivan, 2 of the best and ostentatious snooker players in the world.

Answer 4

Its called English when you hit the cue ball to the left or right of center. Thats the complete definition...

Answer 5

We call "Spot" or "Free Shot", if it is a bad shot then you could do this. place the cue ball on the side middle. If there is a line. Then the lowest number on the table on the set point. We play it one to 15 and whoever reaches a total score of 61  and above wins. You could curve cue but don't jump cue. You do combinations. But it is usually progressive. 1-15, when a ball such as one is already gone next is 2 and so on.

Answer 6

it's proven that Johnny & Straight have the answer dead on :)....that's why they're at the top for answers..go with the pros:).....DreO

Answer 7

in england its called side meaning to hit the ball on the side creating spin left or right or running side or check side depending on the angle at impact

Answer 8

It is just a more or less slang term for putting side spin on the cue ball

Top spin is follow

Bottom  spin is draw

Its not the shot itself