What is the Origin of the Name Pickleball and Why Does Steve Kuhn Not Love It?
Pickleball, a popular paddle sport, owes its name to a playful blend of existing games. According to Joel Pritchard, one of the creators, they combined elements of badminton, ping-pong, and tennis. At the time, they were testing the game with a plastic ball and makeshift paddles in the backyard of Pritchard's home on Bainbridge Island, Washington.
As they played, Pritchard's wife, Joan, chimed in with a suggestion to name the game "pickleball" because it reminded her of "a dill pickle with the paddles and the whiffle ball." The name stuck, paying homage to the game's diverse origins.
However, not everyone has embraced the name "pickleball." Steve Kuhn, another co-creator of the sport, has expressed his dislike for the moniker. He believes it trivializes the game and fails to convey its athleticism and competitive nature. Kuhn has suggested alternative names such as "paddle tennis" or "whiffleball tennis," but these suggestions have not gained widespread acceptance.
Related Questions:
- What are the origins of the name "pickleball"? > The name was inspired by the combination of existing games, such as badminton, ping-pong, and tennis, and was influenced by the shape of the ball, which resembled a dill pickle.
- Who coined the name "pickleball"? > Joan Pritchard, the wife of one of the creators, suggested the name based on the shape of the ball.
- Why does Steve Kuhn not love the name "pickleball"? > Kuhn believes that the name "pickleball" trivializes the sport and fails to convey its athleticism and competitive nature.
- What alternative names has Kuhn suggested for the sport? > Kuhn has suggested names such as "paddle tennis" and "whiffleball tennis," but these have not gained widespread acceptance.
- What is the significance of the name "pickleball"? > The name reflects the game's playful origins and pays homage to the diverse elements that inspired its creation.
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