A `frame` of Snooker

[ryanah147]

Why is a frame of Snooker called a frame ?

[andy carson]

is it something to do with the reds being "framed" in a triangle at the start?

[Acrowot]

Yes andy, it is because the triangle is the frame, so when the balls are set up, one plays a frame of snooker.

That is how it was told when I was a youngster learning the game and has always seemed to be correct.
:snooker:

[100-uper]

Indeed it does refer to the triangle used to "frame" the red balls, but the term predates snooker by some decades, being first applied to the game of Pyramids. I have references of the expression being used in this context from at least the 1860's. Interestingly, I believe that in Scotland the term "triangle" was a popular substitute for "frame" well into the 20th century.

[ryanah147]

When posing that question on "frame" I had an inkling it was something to do with the actual triangle of reds, and just like you 100-upr possibly something to do with the game of Pyramids or Snookers Pool.
I have since looked up the rules of both games but didnt see any mention of the word "frame", but that is not taking away anything from you Peter, as I know your research and knowledge of the games is always 100% accurate, so I will take it as `read`. (or should that be `reds`! ).
Ryanah 147

[thinsy]

now that is a unusual but interesting question.

grouch

Just a guess and I link this to a gangster theme but to play you have to 'set em up' and if you set someone up you frame them.

Probably a load of nonsense but hey worth a shot -----bang

Personally, this is my favorite explaination even though it's wrong

[100-uper]

I was trying to locate my early references to this term, but they are not amongst my electronic records and I have no special note as to where they might appear in the paper archives. Consequently I can't immediately point to my earliest references mentioned above, which is a bit annoying.

However my electronic records take me back to 1888 when the term was commonly used in America (and probably had been for some time previously) in relation to Continuous Pool. This was essentially the same game as Pyramids in England having derived from this source.

The following is an extract from the New York Spirit of the Times of 1888, reporting on the championship match between De Oro v. Eby, held in Hardman Hall in February and March of that year. This was reproduced in The Billiard View, June 1896 (p.456) and states: "Eby broke the balls in opening the first frame, and the score was 15 to 0 in favour of the Cuban at the finish of that frame."

In 1905, S. A. Mussabini serialised his book "The Game of Pyramids" in The World of Billiards which includes the following: " Pyramids is a two-handed game. Fifteen red balls are formed into a triangle in the wooden "pyramid frame," an apex ball touching the pyramid spot." "Instead of having a fresh game for every fresh "frame" of balls put up, a certain number of balls (say the total of six or seven " frames," viz., 90 or 105) is set as the winning point."

This indicates that the term "frame" as applied to Pyramids was well established at this date, although I can't immediately find earlier contemporary references. It also clearly demonstrates the derivation of the term as being the wooden triangle.

Strangely, I can't find any reference to the use of "frame" in the context of snooker until the mid-1920s. If anyone has come across any earlier examples I would be interested to hear of them. I'm sure it must have been in common use from an early date, but doesn't seem to have been popular with journalists.

[renniwevarb]

A beautiful picture of coloured gems on a green green meadow with countless depictions at every change of turn and season... that's what I call this piece of art "snooker in a frame"

[damienlch]

quite plausible that it's the wooden triangle that gave rise to this "frame" term...

but i've often wondered why this game is called "Snooker"... i mean, so few snookers are played in a frame if at all... perhaps it should be more aptly called "Potter"...

[100-uper]

The name of the game came first, and the postion of the balls took its name from this.