What does pickle mean in pickleball?

In 2015, Pickleball was 50 years since it was invented – the first notable time marking since the game was brought to existence. What does Pickle mean in pickleball?

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The answer is not so straightforward. In pickleball, the term “Pickle” has dual origins. The term pickle is also used throughout the game such as Pickle! Pickled, Pickler….so what does it all mean?

Pickle was The dog

Researching the sports origins, Pickleball was invented in the mid-1960s by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum, who were looking for a way to entertain their families during the summer.

According to the story, Joel Pritchard’s family dog, named Pickles, would often chase after the errant balls during their games. As a result, the game came to be known informally as “pickleball.”

Pickle means a Pickle Boat

However; in an interview with Joan, Pritchard’s wife, she said that the sports’ name had maritime origins.

She noted that the name came up due to the combination of different elements from different sports that brought back memories of the Pickle Boat crew, whose oarsmen were chosen from the “leftover” of other main boats.

Here is more interesting and easy Pickleball trivia for game night.

What is a pickle boat?

The Mackinac race history book states “The last boat to finish the race is called the ‘pickle boat.’

The origin of the name comes from English yachting, where the last boat was called the ‘fisher.’ The boats used to stop to fish for herring and then pickle them, thus ‘pickled herring’.”

You’ve been Pickled

 What does pickle mean while playing pickleball? When a team scores zero points in a whole game, you’ve been pickled.

other interesting pickleball terms

Ace: The opponent cannot return the serve and a point is won.

Dillball: Shot that is inbounds and had bounced once: a live ball. ​

Dink Shot: A soft shot and falls into your competitor’s Non Volley Zone (also know as The Kitchen).

Falafel:  A falafel in pickleball is a shot that falls short due to hitting the pickleball ball without any power. A soft hit.

Flapjack: A shot that must bounce once before it can be hit. This occurs during the first two shots of any point. 

The Kitchen: Also known as the Non-Volley Zone.​ This 7-foot section of court is on either side of the net. Be sure not to step in the kitchen!

Pickle!: A server shouts “Pickle!” to let all the other players know that they are about to serve. ​

Pickled: When a team scores zero points in a whole game. You’ve been pickled.

Pickler:  A pickleball addict.

Poach: When playing doubles, a poach is to cross over into your partner’s side of the court to hit a shot.

Here are some great pickleball halloween costumes .

Pickleball meaning resources

Here are some books about the sport and can help explain what the pickle means in pickleball.

More stories on Pickleball…

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• Easy pickleball trivia questions and answers
• Top women’s pickleball shoes for wide widths, bunions, and plantar fasciitis
• The Health Benefits of Walking Pads for Pickleball Players
• What’s your DUPR? Understanding DUPR Scores and Pickleball Ratings

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