Ever heard someone shout, “Put some English on it!” at the Pool Table and thought, “Wait, what’s English got to do with this?” Short answer: it comes from the French word anglé (angled spin) but became famous thanks to an Englishman in 19th-century America. That twist of history explains why spin is called English. Keep reading, you’ll see how language, culture, and cue sports collided to create one of the most colourful terms in billiards.
In pool, snooker, or billiards, “English” means sidespin. Instead of striking the cue ball dead centre, you hit slightly left or right. That subtle move curves the ball’s path. In America, if someone yells “put some English on it”, they’re telling you to add that clever spin.
The magic happens when the spinning cue ball hits a cushion. Left English makes it rebound left, right English makes it kick right. This tiny adjustment can turn a nearly impossible shot into a clean escape or leave your opponent stuck behind the pack.
The story starts with Jack Carr, an English billiards player in the 1800s. When he travelled to America, most locals had never seen sidespin. Carr wowed crowds with shots that looked like sorcery, and suddenly everyone wanted to know his secret.
Carr’s trick wasn’t just talent, it was technology. He coated his cue tip with tallow, which gripped the cue ball and made spin easier. Compared to the blunt maces other players still used, his shots looked like pure wizardry.
Because Carr was English, Americans started calling the move “English.” Before long, the phrase spread to every pool hall. Today, the expression even sneaks into other sports, like basketball, where “put some English on it” means spinning the ball off the backboard.
Ask a snooker player in the UK about English and you’ll likely get a confused look. Over there, players simply say “side” or “sidespin.” The technique is the same, but the terminology is refreshingly straightforward.
“English” is almost exclusively an American phrase. In the UK, both snooker and English billiards stuck with the descriptive “side.” It’s a perfect example of how two countries can play the same game but speak a different sporting language.
Running side, sometimes called outside English, makes the cue ball rebound at a wider angle. It’s a favourite in both pool and snooker when you need to open up space or line up neatly for the next shot.
Check side, or inside English, does the opposite. It narrows the rebound angle, slows the cue ball down, and helps squeeze into tight gaps. Skilled players use both types to stay in control of every rally.
Learning how to spin the cue ball is what separates casual players from serious contenders. English is all about control and positioning. It helps you dodge obstacles, create winning angles, and get out of trouble when a straight shot isn’t an option. Think of it as GPS for your cue ball.
No, English refers only to sidespin. Topspin (follow) moves the cue ball forward, while backspin (draw) pulls it back. Combine them with sidespin and you unlock advanced control.
Jack Carr was the 19th-century English billiards player who introduced spin to America. His clever tallow-coated cue tip helped create the shots that Americans labelled “English.”
Reverse English is sidespin applied against the cue ball’s natural rebound. It cancels momentum, tightens angles, and lets players pull off deceptive positional shots. It’s one of the trickiest but most rewarding skills to master.
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