onefrombills
02-27-2009, 02:09 AM
By Phillip B. Wilson
Indianapolis Star
They throw rocks, or pebbles, for a living. What happens after that, well, it's open for interpretation through a glossary of terms professional bowlers use each day.
Call it the lane language.
In search of the "high-flush" or "dead-flush" hit, bowlers often are forced to accept "skid flippys" or "skid snaps," "ringing 10s," "stone 8s," "blower" and "swisher" or "rip-rack 7s," the dreaded 7-10 split "bedposts," "buckets," and a "Greek Church" split.
These "rocks" have been known to "hit the pins light," or ping. They "hang" or "wash out." Sometimes, they "drive through the nose." If really soft, somebody will say the rock hit like a marshmallow or a grape. Often, a bowler will observe a light throw resembles that of a wife throwing a purse at the pins.
"A lot of these words, your 200-average amateur league bowler may not understand," said Hall of Famer Parker Bohn III.
Although some of the words in frustration are a bit more familiar.
"You've got to bleep some of mine out," said Eugene McCune, Munster, Ind., a first-day leader at this week's PBA Etonic Marathon Open at Woodland Bowl. He slipped to second after Wednesday's early nine-game qualifying block.
Even the No. 1 ranked player in the world is susceptible to such talk.
"Nothing you can quote," said a smiling Bill O'Neill.
Indianapolis Star
They throw rocks, or pebbles, for a living. What happens after that, well, it's open for interpretation through a glossary of terms professional bowlers use each day.
Call it the lane language.
In search of the "high-flush" or "dead-flush" hit, bowlers often are forced to accept "skid flippys" or "skid snaps," "ringing 10s," "stone 8s," "blower" and "swisher" or "rip-rack 7s," the dreaded 7-10 split "bedposts," "buckets," and a "Greek Church" split.
These "rocks" have been known to "hit the pins light," or ping. They "hang" or "wash out." Sometimes, they "drive through the nose." If really soft, somebody will say the rock hit like a marshmallow or a grape. Often, a bowler will observe a light throw resembles that of a wife throwing a purse at the pins.
"A lot of these words, your 200-average amateur league bowler may not understand," said Hall of Famer Parker Bohn III.
Although some of the words in frustration are a bit more familiar.
"You've got to bleep some of mine out," said Eugene McCune, Munster, Ind., a first-day leader at this week's PBA Etonic Marathon Open at Woodland Bowl. He slipped to second after Wednesday's early nine-game qualifying block.
Even the No. 1 ranked player in the world is susceptible to such talk.
"Nothing you can quote," said a smiling Bill O'Neill.