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THE 8-BALLNofed Billfardist Writes . . •To the Editor: In your issue of Oak Leaves dated October 20 on page Letters from Readers, there appeared a query in reference to the phrase behind the eight ball,” a request for a comprehensive explanation of the expression.The expression 1 behind, the eight ball” originated in a New York billiard room on John street about twenty years ago. The phrase means: jinx, stymied, out of luck!In playing Kelly pool little pills numbered from 1 to 15 are shaken out of a leather bottle, and each player in turn gets one. Allie Flint used to play this game regularly with a number of friends and liked to bet with themthat he would get thp lowest “pill.” There were usually more than eight in the game, so anyone who got a pill with a number higher than the eight couldn't possibly win, and Allie Flint consistently got a higher pill, till one day in disgust as he drew a high ball said:“I never have any luck. I'm always behind the eight ball.” This phrase finally became public property. One day the boys played a joke on Flint by wrapping an eight ball in a small package and mailed it to him. When he arrived at his office he opened the package, spied the eight ball and threw it on the floor, exclaiming, “No matter where I am or where I go. I'm always behind the eight ball.”Allie Flint is still alive and lives somewhere in Newark, N. J.CHAS. C. PETERSON.
Newspaper Details
Oak Park Oak Leaves
Oak Park, Illinois, US
Thu, Nov 03, 1938
Page 44
Full Page
Clipped by
Michael S.
PA, USA 29 Feb 2020
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