Agate vs Rock

[L.S. Dennis]

Just wondering when did the term 'rock' came into being to describe a cue ball? When I was growing up (admittedly some time ago) all the pool halls I used to frequent used the term 'agate' as in "I'm having a hard time controlling the agate today!" A cue ball is closer to looking like a big marble which makes more sense than a rock which is not round and you find in the dirt in your backyard!
Slow night, silly questions,,,

 

[maha]

i agree with you.

 

[midnightmark]

ROCK is just a figurative speech. Similar to how BASKETBALL Players refer to the Basketball AS A ROCK.

 

[straightline]

Rock is just buzz talk. I remember it from the pool rooms in the 70s. The black guys used the term. I started using it here because cueball is a typo and rock is quicker to type.

 

[garczar]

Just wondering when did the term 'rock' came into being to describe a cue ball? When I was growing up (admittedly some time ago) all the pool halls I used to frequent used the term 'agate' as in "I'm having a hard time controlling the agate today!" A cue ball is closer to looking like a big marble which makes more sense than a rock which is not round and you find in the dirt in your backyard!
Slow night, silly questions,,,

Both terms along with 'whitey' and 'Kojak' have been around as long as i've played(40+yrs).

 

[fastone371]

I have also heard some refer to some cue balls as a "mudball", I have never seen white mud.

 

[garczar]

I have also heard some refer to some cue balls as a "mudball", I have never seen white mud.

Mudball is a type of cb used on some bar tables. Has metal particles in the ball as opposed to a big slug in the middle. They are deader than HulaHoop hence the name mudball. They suck.

 

[slide13]

Weird, I have never in my life heard the cue ball referred to as "agate" until this post.

 

[garczar]

Weird, I have never in my life heard the cue ball referred to as "agate" until this post.

Must have been hiding under a rock or a agate maybe.

 

[sammylane12]

Weird, I have never in my life heard the cue ball referred to as "agate" until this post.

Me either

 

[jimmyco]

River rock can be round. And very smooth.

 

[pt109]

Weird, I have never in my life heard the cue ball referred to as "agate" until this post.

Same here….whitey or the rock……stop thy rock was a California expression since the 60s.

 

[tim913]

Both terms along with 'whitey' and 'Kojak' have been around as long as i've played(40+yrs).

So Telly Savalas was “The Rock” before Dwayne Johnson was? Dwayne won’t be happy!