Spitball: meaning, definitions and examples

⚾️

Add to dictionary

spitball

[ˈspɪtˌbɔl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

school game

A small ball made of paper, typically thrown as a game in school classrooms.

Synonyms

paper ball, wad of paper.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
spitball	This is a repeated term; refer to the first entry for context and examples.
paper ball	Used in a more general sense to describe a ball made of crumpled paper. This term is neutral and can be used in various situations, including crafts or informal activities. He balled up the paper and tossed it into the trash. We made paper balls to throw during the team-building exercise.
wad of paper	Describes a more substantial amount of crumpled paper, often used for packing, stuffing, or disposing of larger paper scraps. It does not have a mischievous or playful connotation. He threw a wad of paper into the recycle bin. The package was cushioned with wads of paper to prevent damage.

Word

Description / Examples

spitball

This is a repeated term; refer to the first entry for context and examples.

paper ball

Used in a more general sense to describe a ball made of crumpled paper. This term is neutral and can be used in various situations, including crafts or informal activities.

He balled up the paper and tossed it into the trash.
We made paper balls to throw during the team-building exercise.

wad of paper

Describes a more substantial amount of crumpled paper, often used for packing, stuffing, or disposing of larger paper scraps. It does not have a mischievous or playful connotation.

He threw a wad of paper into the recycle bin.
The package was cushioned with wads of paper to prevent damage.

Examples of usage

During recess, the kids were playing with spitballs in the back of the classroom.
The teacher caught the student making spitballs during the lesson.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

baseball

A pitch thrown with a high degree of spin, causing the ball to move erratically.

Synonyms

spitter, wet one.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
spitball	In sports, particularly baseball, it denotes a ball that has been illegally altered by adding spit or some other substance to affect its trajectory. The pitcher was accused of using a spitball to deceive the batter.
spitter	Commonly refers to a person who spits, which can have a negative connotation, often seen as rude or unsanitary behavior. The spitter was warned for his inappropriate behavior during the football game. He was known as the spitter on the team because he often used to spit before throwing the ball.
wet one	Often describes a spitball that is very wet with saliva, emphasizing the messiness or grossness of the object. Typically, it's used in informal or playful contexts but might be seen as slightly more crude or gross. She shrieked when a wet one landed on her notebook. During the prank war, Tom threw a wet one right at Mike's back.

Word

Description / Examples

spitball

In sports, particularly baseball, it denotes a ball that has been illegally altered by adding spit or some other substance to affect its trajectory.

The pitcher was accused of using a spitball to deceive the batter.

spitter

Commonly refers to a person who spits, which can have a negative connotation, often seen as rude or unsanitary behavior.

The spitter was warned for his inappropriate behavior during the football game.
He was known as the spitter on the team because he often used to spit before throwing the ball.

wet one

Often describes a spitball that is very wet with saliva, emphasizing the messiness or grossness of the object. Typically, it's used in informal or playful contexts but might be seen as slightly more crude or gross.

She shrieked when a wet one landed on her notebook.
During the prank war, Tom threw a wet one right at Mike's back.

Examples of usage

The pitcher threw a spitball that confounded the batter.
His signature pitch was the spitball, which batters found difficult to hit.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term 'spitball' originated in American English in the early 20th century, specifically related to schoolyard antics.
The word combines 'spit' (to expel saliva) and 'ball', illustrating how the object is made.
The practice itself likely predates the term, reflecting playful mischief seen in classrooms.

Cultural References

Spitballs are often depicted in films and cartoons as tricks played by mischievous students during lessons.
The 1987 film 'The Principal' featured spitballs as part of its portrayal of unruly classroom behavior.
In popular culture, using spitballs can symbolize nonconformity and rebellion against authority figures, especially teachers.

Psychology

Engaging in throw-play, like using spitballs, can be seen as a form of stress relief and social bonding among peers.
Such playful acts may allow children to explore boundaries and express their personalities in a controlled environment.
The act of making and throwing spitballs can also enhance fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination for younger kids.

Educational Context

Teachers often disapprove of spitball antics as they create distractions and can lead to chaos in the classroom.
Some educators use the concept of spitballs metaphorically to discuss ideas and creativity – throwing out thoughts to see what sticks.
Activities involving spitballs can help in fostering teamwork and encourage creativity when supervised appropriately.

Fun Facts

In 1936, a patent was filed for a 'spitball maker', a child-friendly device designed to simplify the spitball creation process.
There are unofficial competitions in schools where students challenge each other to see who can throw a spitball the farthest or hit a target.
Despite its playful nature, teachers have seen spitballs become a symbol of classroom defiance, often leading to humorous yet instructive consequences.

Translations

Translations of the word "spitball" in other languages:

🇵🇹 bola de papel

🇮🇳 कागज़ की गोली

🇩🇪 Papierkugel

🇮🇩 bola kertas

🇺🇦 паперова кулька

🇵🇱 kulka z papieru

🇯🇵 紙くずの玉 (かみくずのたま)

🇫🇷 boulette de papier

🇪🇸 bola de papel

🇹🇷 kağıt topu

🇰🇷 종이 뭉치

🇸🇦 كرة ورقية

🇨🇿 papírová kulička

🇸🇰 papierová guľôčka

🇨🇳 纸团 (zhǐ tuán)

🇸🇮 papirnata kroglica

🇮🇸 pappírkúla

🇰🇿 қағаз шарик

🇬🇪 ქაღალდის ბურთი

🇦🇿 kağız topu

🇲🇽 bola de papel