Bowling Slang & Lingo | Know the Terms

Bowling, a sport steeped in tradition and camaraderie, is not just about knocking down pins. It’s a world filled with its own language, a vibrant tapestry of terms that can baffle the uninitiated and bond the enthusiasts. From the triumphant shout of “Turkey!” after a third consecutive strike to the sympathetic groans accompanying a dreaded “Gutter Ball,” the lingo of the lanes is as much a part of the game as the ball and pins themselves.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newcomer eager to understand the chatter at your local alley, this article will guide you through the rich and colorful lexicon of bowling. Prepare to embark on a linguistic journey down the polished wooden lanes of bowling history and culture.

List of bowling terms and slang

• Action – The movement of the pins after the ball hits them.
• Alley – Another term for a bowling lane.
• Anchor – The last bowler in a team lineup.
• Baby Split – The 2-7 or 3-10 split.
• Back End – The last 20 feet of the bowling lane.
• Bedposts or Goalposts – The 7-10 split.
• Big Four – The 4-6-7-10 split.
• Blind Score – A score given to a bowler who is absent.
• Brooklyn – Hitting the pocket from the opposite side (left side for right-handed bowlers and vice versa).
• Clean Game – A game with no open frames (all strikes or spares).
• Dead Wood – Pins that remain on the lane after the first ball.
• Dime or Perfect 10 – Ten consecutive strikes.
• Double – Two consecutive strikes.
• Dutch 200 – A game of alternating strikes and spares for a score of 200.
• Eight in a row – Often just called “eight consecutive strikes.”
• Eleven in a row – Often just called “eleven consecutive strikes.”
• Four-bagger or Hambone – Four consecutive strikes.
• Five-bagger – Five consecutive strikes.
• Full Roller – A ball that rolls over its full circumference.
• Golden Turkey – Nine consecutive strikes.
• Greek Church – A multi-pin split resembling a cathedral, such as the 4-6-7-8-10.
• Gutter Ball – A ball that goes into the gutter without hitting any pins.
• Handicap – Additional pins awarded to a bowler or team to level the playing field.
• Head Pin – The pin at the front (the #1 pin).
• House Ball – A ball provided by the bowling center.
• Kingpin – Another term for the head pin.
• Leave – Pins remaining after the first ball.
• Loft – Throwing the ball onto the lane with force.
• Mixer – A light hit that results in a strike.
• Open Frame – A frame without a strike or spare.
• Perfect Game – A game with 12 consecutive strikes for a score of 300.
• Pocket – The area between the 1 and 3 pins for right-handed bowlers, and the 1 and 2 pins for left-handed bowlers.
• Rev Rate – The number of times a ball rotates in a minute.
• Sandbagger – A bowler who intentionally bowls below their ability to receive a higher handicap.
• Seven in a row – Sometimes referred to as a “Ham-Turkey Dinner” in some circles.
• Six-pack – Six consecutive strikes.
• Sleeper – A pin hidden directly behind another pin.
• Spare – Knocking down all 10 pins in two rolls.
• Split – A leave where two or more pins remain standing with a gap between them.
• Strike – Knocking down all 10 pins with the first ball.
• Turkey – Three consecutive strikes.
• Twelve in a row or Perfect Game – Twelve consecutive strikes, resulting in a score of 300.
• Washout – A difficult spare left after the first ball, typically with the head pin and a combination of other pins.

What are the Different Strike Terms?

In bowling, a “strike” refers to knocking down all ten pins with the first ball of a frame. Over the years, various terms and slang have been associated with consecutive strikes. Here are some of the most commonly used terms for a series of strikes:

• Strike – Knocking down all 10 pins with the first ball.
• Double – Two consecutive strikes.
• Turkey – Three consecutive strikes.
• Four-bagger or Hambone – Four consecutive strikes.
• Five-bagger – Five consecutive strikes.
• Six-pack – Six consecutive strikes.
• Seven in a row – Sometimes referred to as a “Ham-Turkey Dinner” in some circles.
• Eight in a row – Often just called “eight consecutive strikes.”
• Golden Turkey – Nine consecutive strikes.
• Dime or Perfect 10 – Ten consecutive strikes.
• Eleven in a row – Often just called “eleven consecutive strikes.”
• Twelve in a row or Perfect Game – Twelve consecutive strikes, resulting in a score of 300.

While the terms for one, two, and three strikes are widely accepted and used, the names for four or more consecutive strikes can vary by region, bowling alley, or even individual preference. Some bowlers might simply refer to them by the number (e.g., “I got seven in a row!”), while others might use more colorful or playful terminology.

More bowling slang terms and their meanings

• 180 and 270: Pinsetter malfunctions where the sweep bar is stuck either at the back or the front of the lane.
• Axis Rotation and Axis Tilt: Refers to the angles of the ball’s rotation which can affect its movement on the lane.
• ABC: American Bowling Congress, a significant governing body for ten-pin bowling in the U.S.
• Abralon (pad): Used to “sand” ball coverstocks to control friction between the ball and lane.
• Action Bowling: Bowling contests involving money betting.
• Adjust(ment): Changes made in technique due to changing lane conditions or to correct ball motion.
• Aggressive: Refers to a ball that has a strong reaction or hook.
• Anchor: In league play, the person bowling last, usually the best performer.
• Andy Varipapa 300: 12 consecutive strikes bowled across two games.
• Arsenal: The set of bowling balls a bowler has available.
• Asymmetric: Describes a ball that is not symmetric, leading to greater flare potential.
• Backup Ball: A ball that hooks in the opposite direction of a conventional delivery.
• Baby Split: A split that can be converted by hitting both pins with the ball, like the 3-10 or 2-7.
• Backswing: The portion of a delivery following the push-off and preceding the forward swing and release.
• Baker Format: A team game scoring format where team members bowl frames in a repetitive order to complete a single game.
• Balance Hole: A hole drilled into a bowling ball for balance, which was banned in competition by the USBC in 2020.
• Beer Frame: A frame where the only bowler on a team not to strike buys beer for their teammates.
• Blind (score): In league play, a score attributed to an absent team member.
• Bracket: A contest format in which bowlers are divided into groups and paired against each other in a single-elimination tournament.
• Brooklyn: A roll where the ball crosses over the centerline to hit the pins on the opposite side of the pocket.
• Bumpers: Rails surrounding a lane to prevent balls from going into the gutters, used mainly for beginners.
• Burn or Burn Up: Refers to the change in lane characteristics during long tournaments when lanes are not re-oiled.
• Breakpoint: The point along a bowling ball’s path where it transitions from skid to hook.
• Clean Game: A game with a mark (spare or strike) in all ten frames.
• Cranker: A bowler who rolls the ball with high revolutions.
• Double: Two consecutive strikes within a single game.
• Foul: A penalty when a bowler’s body touches beyond the foul line during delivery.
• Full Roller: A delivery with zero axis tilt, where the oil track on the ball traverses the full diameter of the ball as it rolls.
• Grandma’s Teeth: A 4-6-7-10 leave.
• Handicap: Additional pins awarded to bowlers or teams to level the playing field in league or tournament play.
• Head Pin: The pin at the front of the formation, also known as the 1-pin.
• High Flush: A strike where the ball hits solidly between the 1 and 3 pins (for right-handers) or 1 and 2 pins (for left-handers).
• House Ball: Bowling balls provided by the bowling center for general use.
• House Pattern: The oil pattern used by a bowling center for their regular lane conditions.
• Jersey Side: Another term for a Brooklyn strike.
• Kegler: An old term for a bowler, derived from the German word for bowling pin.
• Late 10: When the 10-pin is the last to fall during a strike.
• Loft: Throwing the ball onto the lane with an arc, causing it to land some distance beyond the foul line.
• Love Tap: When a pin is lightly tapped by another pin, causing it to fall.
• Mixer: A strike that results from pins mixing together, rather than a direct pocket hit.
• Nose: Hitting the head pin too directly, often resulting in splits.
• Open Frame: A frame in which a bowler does not get a spare or strike.
• Out of Bounds: An area of the lane where balls will not hook back to the pocket.
• Parabolic: A ball motion that is smooth and arching.
• PBA: Professional Bowlers Association.
• Pocket: The ideal spot to aim for a strike, between the 1-3 pins for right-handers and 1-2 for left-handers.
• Pushaway: The initial movement of the ball away from the bowler’s body during the approach.
• Red Line: The line on a lane oil pattern graph that shows the oil’s transition from heavier to lighter.
• Rev Rate: The number of revolutions a bowling ball makes from the time of release until it hits the pins.
• Sandbagger: A bowler who intentionally bowls below their ability to receive a higher handicap.
• Skid: The initial phase of a bowling ball’s motion, where it travels straight on the lane’s oil.
• Sleeper: A pin positioned directly behind another, making it harder to see, like the 8-pin behind the 2-pin.
• Spare: Knocking down all remaining pins with the second ball in a frame.
• Split: A situation where two or more pins remain standing after the first ball, with a gap between them.
• Turkey: Three consecutive strikes.
• Washout: A pin leave where the head pin remains standing, along with pins on the opposite side of the lane.
• Weak: A ball that doesn’t hook strongly or loses energy before reaching the pins.

Final Thoughts

The world of bowling is not just about rolling a ball down a lane; it’s a universe filled with its own unique language, traditions, and nuances. The terms and slang we’ve explored offer a glimpse into the heart and soul of this beloved sport, revealing the camaraderie, strategy, and passion that bowlers share.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a casual enthusiast, understanding this lingo enriches the experience, bridging generations and cultures. As you lace up your shoes and step onto the lanes, remember that every roll, strike, or spare is a part of a storied tradition.