ball (1) at English => English (English Etymology) Of Explained:

"round object," O.E., from O.N. bollr "ball," from P.Gmc. *balluz (cf. O.H.G. ballo, Ger. Ball), from PIE base *bhel- "to swell" (cf. L. follis "thing blown up or inflated;" cf. also belly). The verb meaning "copulate" is first recorded 1940s in jazz slang. To be on the ball is 1912, from sports. Ball-point pen first recorded 1947. Ball of fire when first recorded in 1821 referred to "a glass of brandy;" as "spectacularly successful striver" it is c.1900. Ball and chain as a prisoner's restraint is recorded from 1835; as "one's wife," early 1920s. ///

Related words:

ball  Ball [math.]  ball (2)  ball (tanzveranstaltung)  ball ache  ball and chain  Ball and socket joint  ball and socket joints  ball bearing  Ball bearings  ball boy  ball boys  ball cap  ball carrier  ball carriers  Ball cartridge  ball clay  ball club  Ball cock  ball de Chumann na gCarad  ball fern  ball field  ball fish  ball flower  ball flowers  ball game  ball games  ball girl  ball girls  ball gown  Ball gudgeon  ball hawk  ball hawking  ball hawks  ball in hand  Ball lever  Ball lightning  ball machine  ball machines  ball nettle  ball nightshade  ball of fire  Ball of the eye  ball of the thumb  ball over  ball park  Ball Pàrlamaid  ball peen hammer  ball pein hammer  ball pit  ball pits  ball player  ball players  ball point pen  ball return  ball returns  ball sack  ball sacks  Ball spielen  ball the jack