# "Blue Ball" as a place name?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-ball-as-a-place-name/603104>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 16, 2011, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-ball-as-a-place-name/603104 "2011-11-16T11:38:50Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![kookoosint](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@kookoosint](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kookoosint)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-ball-as-a-place-name/603104/21 "2020-08-29T01:02:14Z")

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In the UK (where I was born) the name “Blue Ball” is often used for public houses (drinking establishments / hotels). I the old days they were often coaching inns where stage coaches stopped to drop off and pick up travellers. If the inn wanted the coach to stop to pick up a passenger they raised a blue ball outside the inn. See [The fascinating history of some of our favourite pubs, including The Dolphin and Blue Ball Inn - Devon Live](https://www.devonlive.com/whats-on/food-drink/fascinating-history-favourite-pubs-including-1696004)

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**Author:** ![Ynnad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4491bb/32.png) [@Ynnad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ynnad)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-ball-as-a-place-name/603104/22 "2020-08-29T01:11:01Z")

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Does this count as a zombie thread? I have new information not previously discussed. There is a Blue Ball, Arkansas over by Waldron in the Ouachita Mountains. How many of you can pronounce Ouachita correctly without looking it up first? I am sure that @Bekdawrek can. I think she lives pretty close to the Ouachita River.

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