I posted this before and never got a real answer so I’ll try again. Why is brooklyn strike called a brooklyn strike? (for those who don’t know, it’s when you get a strike by hitting the opposite pocket in bowling, for instance, the ball hitting the 1-2 pocket for a rightie) Someone mentioned something about Brooklyn being on the other side of the river…
I’ve always heard it called a Jersey strike, and probably for much the same reason - it’s the opposite side of where you wanted (or expected) to be. IANANYD[sup]*[/sup], but I expect there have been numberless incidents of trying to get somewhere in NYC but you end up crossing that damn bridge into Jersey despite your best efforts.
[sup]*[/sup]I Am Not A New York Driver
When I grew up (in OK) it was called a Granny Strike.
No explaination was given.
Lighter cites it first in print in 1949. I think Olentzero nailed it. If you are a New Yorker or a New Jerseyite and hit the pocket on the opposite side, it would be a “Brooklyn.”
If you were from Brooklyn, it would be a “Jersey.”
Almost right. I’ve never heard anyone from any part of NYC call it “Brooklyn”- it’s always “Jersey”.
<<Grumble grumble>> FIRST, Joisey steals the Statue of Liberty. NOW THIS???
Will the indignities NEVER end??? :rolleyes:
I still like my cite from the last time:
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=72973