curveball

English

noun
Definitions
  • (baseball) A forespin pitch thrown by rotating the index and middle fingers down and resulting in motion down "curve"
  • (by extension) An unexpected turn of events initiated by an opponent or chance.

Etymology

Compound from English curve + English ball (testicle, round object).

Origin

English

ball

Gloss

testicle, round object

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms