Why is a Score of Zero Called Love in Tennis?
The origin of the term "love" in tennis to denote a score of zero is shrouded in mystery, and several theories have been proposed:
1. French Derivation: Some speculate that it originates from the French word "l'oeuf," meaning an egg, due to the resemblance of a blank scoreboard to an egg's shape.
2. Chivalrous Gesture: Another theory suggests that it stems from chivalrous behavior on the court. When a male player lost a point, he would offer a gallantry by saying "l'amour" (love) to his female opponent.
3. Mathematical Notation: "Love" may have been used as a placeholder in early record-keeping systems. A tally of "0" looked similar to a heart shape, which was often used to symbolize "love" in medieval writing.
4. Signal for Scoring: In the days before electronic scoreboards, players would signal their score using hand gestures. A closed fist represented "1," while an open hand or finger pointed upward represented "0." This gesture may have been misinterpreted as a symbol of love.
5. Slang Term: It's also possible that "love" is simply a colloquialism that originated in slang or informal language. Like many other sporting terms, it may have become part of the tennis lexicon over time.
Related Questions:
- What is the highest score in tennis? Advantage
- Is a tiebreaker played at 6-6 in a tennis set? Yes
- What is the name of the area outside the court that a ball can land on? Alley
- Is it allowed to touch the net in tennis? Yes, with the exception of volleying
- What is the term for a shot that is hit over the opponent's head? Lob
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