tetherball

[ teth-er-bawl ]

noun

1. a game for two persons, in which each player, standing on each side of a post from the top of which a ball is suspended by a cord, hits the ball with the hand or a paddle in a direction opposite to that in which the other player hits it, the object being to coil the cord completely around the post.

Word History and Origins

Origin of tetherball¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; tether + ball ¹

Example Sentences

“You didn’t recognize me in front of tetherball, and you broke my ChapStick that one time, so that’s the totality of Robbin’s bullying experience.”

From Seattle Times

At recess the cool kids play tetherball, which it turns out I’m sort of okay at.

From Literature

In college, he said, he could get away with blocking a defensive lineman up and around the pocket — known as “tetherball technique” — but he can’t count on that in the NFL.

From Washington Post

Like when I won the tetherball tournament at recess against Trevor and I wouldn’t have if I hadn’t been there at all.

From Literature

Among the featured videos are a horse playing tetherball, fish in a feeding frenzy and a pig who keeps losing his grip.

From Los Angeles Times